{"id":8629,"date":"2025-11-08T12:17:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T12:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westernpearlreports.com\/?p=8629"},"modified":"2025-11-09T13:49:04","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T13:49:04","slug":"museveni-commends-mbale-residents-cooperation-in-combating-smuggling-in-greater-mbale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westernpearlreports.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/08\/museveni-commends-mbale-residents-cooperation-in-combating-smuggling-in-greater-mbale\/","title":{"rendered":"Museveni Commends Mbale Residents’ Cooperation towards Combating Smuggling ."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NAMISINDWA. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the residents of Greater Mbale District for their role in ending smuggling activities that once posed a significant obstacle to the region\u2019s economy during the early days of the NRM government.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

During his campaign rally at Namisindwa Technical College in Namisindwa District , Museveni described smuggling as “suicidal” to the national economy. He emphasized that the decisive actions taken by the NRM government against smugglers greatly contributed to Uganda\u2019s economic stability and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Administrative changes under the NRM government led to the division of Mbale District into Sironko, Manafwa, and later the creation of Namisindwa and Bududa districts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Museveni Addresses a Campaign Rally in Mamisindwa District<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Museveni recalled that the smuggling of goods from Kenya via Mbale, as well as other items coming from Burundi and Rwanda through the Katuna Border in Kabale District, had stifled production in Uganda in the early years of the NRM. However, his government addressed the problem decisively, thanks to the cooperation of the local communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His remarks referenced Uganda\u2019s past struggles with political instability and the chaos of the early 1980s following Idi Amin\u2019s overthrow, which created opportunities for smuggling and lawlessness. During those times, border porosity and political disorder facilitated the influx of illicit goods, weapons, and drugs into the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A range of smuggled items including firearms, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, and consumer products had historically undermined national security, fueled corruption, hampered domestic production, and caused revenue losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSome people complained that we are stopping them from doing business, but I told your leaders that this smuggling is suicide. By smuggling, you kill the jobs of your children,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Museveni explained that smuggling had thrived not only due to the lack of effective law enforcement but also because of a shortage of goods in the country, worsened by political instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut now there are so many goods in Uganda, and it’s the buyers who are few. It\u2019s because of the peace we have achieved,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CUE IN\u2026: MUSEVENI ON SMUGGLING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n