Driver fined sh5.4m for using ambulance to smuggle goods

KAMPALA - A driver has been fined for using an ambulance to transport uncustomed goods worth sh11.4 million.

Ali Nsubuga Kato, 30, a resident of Nasuti village in Mukono district, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of uncustomed goods, contrary to Section 200(d) of the East African Customs Management Act, 2004.

Kato entered the plea on July 3, 2025, before Principal Grade One Magistrate Paul Mujuni at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court.

When Kato appeared in court, he informed the magistrate that he was changing his plea. He had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge in March 2025.

Prosecution, led by Allan Nkoyoyo, a legal officer from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), told the court that on March 30, 2025, at the Nile Bridge in Jinja district, Kato was found in possession of uncustomed goods, items that had not been subjected to tax, and was using an ambulance to transport them.

Nkoyoyo said Kato was found ferrying seven bales of faced cotton wax fabric made in Nigeria, with a dutiable value of sh11.4 million, which he knew had not been cleared through customs.

In his ruling, Magistrate Mujuni noted that Kato could be given another chance to reform and contribute to national development.

"The convict is a first offender, and he has not wasted court’s time. However, what he did was bad, using an ambulance to transport uncustomed goods instead of patients.

Since he is a family man with children to look after, I sentence him to a fine of sh5.4m or imprisonment for one year," Mujuni said.

Nkoyoyo had asked the court to impose a stringent sentence, arguing that the offence was grave as it undermines revenue collection and promotes unfair competition.

He emphasised the need to curb such practices to protect the integrity of the tax system.

In response, Kato pleaded for leniency, telling court that he is a family man with children who depend on him. He said a custodial sentence would cause undue suffering to his dependents.

By press time, he was still processing the payment.