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KAMPALA - A Uganda People’s Defence Forces soldier has been charged with being in possession of prohibited goods worth shillings 20.6 million.

Thadus Birungi was charged on January 30, 2024, at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by senior principal grade one magistrate Abert Asiimwe.

Nirungi was charged alongside businessman Hillary Arukukunda, Dickens Arinaitwe, as well as university student Davis Ampurire Kayona.

They were all charged with one count of being in possession of prohibited goods contrary to section 200 (d) (i) of the East African Community Customs Act, 2004. The offence attracts a fine of shillings 10 million or five years in jail.

It is alleged that Birungi, Arinaitwe, Kayona, and Arukukunda, along with others still at large, were found in possession of 64 cartons x 50 Bombas of assorted Oris cigarettes worth shillings 20.6 million on January 5, 2024, at Senge village firm in Wakiso district.

They denied the charges.

They were all released on a cash bail of shillings one million and six of their sureties are required to execute a bond of shillings five million. 

The case was adjourned to February 28, 2024, for mention.