Revenue agencies want cigarette exports airlifted
Nov 28, 2005
TRANSPORTING cigarette exports by road should be done by air to reduce illicit trade, revenue agencies in Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo and Rwanda have recommended.
By James Odomel
TRANSPORTING cigarette exports by road should be done by air to reduce illicit trade, revenue agencies in Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo and Rwanda have recommended.
During a cross border meeting in Entebbe, the agencies said air transport for Supermatch cigarettes to DR Congo, Sudan and Somalia would reduce transit smuggling.
The officials called for harsh penalties to the traders and smugglers involved.
Uganda’s Inspector General of Police, Major General Kale Kayihura, said joint efforts are needed to eliminate the illicit trade.
Kayihura said the problem had not been given adequate attention by the governments in the region.
He said Mastermind in Kenya, the producers of Supermatch Cigarettes, should be investigated by Interpol.
British American Tobacco Uganda’s head of corporate affairs Jimmy Kiberu said, “For every stick we sell, 60% goes to the Government so the more we lose, the more the Government loses.
Smugglers are getting smarter by the day so tougher measures should be instituted.â€
The anti-illicit trade manager for East Africa, Sam Matano, said goods should be accompanied from the factory to the border.
Special Revenue Protection Services’ spokesman Lt Bahoku Barigye said most of the consignments do not fulfil export requirements of the country of destination.
TRANSPORTING cigarette exports by road should be done by air to reduce illicit trade, revenue agencies in Uganda, Kenya, DR Congo and Rwanda have recommended.
During a cross border meeting in Entebbe, the agencies said air transport for Supermatch cigarettes to DR Congo, Sudan and Somalia would reduce transit smuggling.
The officials called for harsh penalties to the traders and smugglers involved.
Uganda’s Inspector General of Police, Major General Kale Kayihura, said joint efforts are needed to eliminate the illicit trade.
Kayihura said the problem had not been given adequate attention by the governments in the region.
He said Mastermind in Kenya, the producers of Supermatch Cigarettes, should be investigated by Interpol.
British American Tobacco Uganda’s head of corporate affairs Jimmy Kiberu said, “For every stick we sell, 60% goes to the Government so the more we lose, the more the Government loses.
Smugglers are getting smarter by the day so tougher measures should be instituted.â€
The anti-illicit trade manager for East Africa, Sam Matano, said goods should be accompanied from the factory to the border.
Special Revenue Protection Services’ spokesman Lt Bahoku Barigye said most of the consignments do not fulfil export requirements of the country of destination.