Section 298: Prohibition of export/import without licence from Minister

(1)The exportation or importation of goods from or into Uganda is prohibited except under licence granted by the Minister responsible and through such places of exit or entry as may be prescribed, for that purpose by the Minister responsible; except that no licence shall be required for the exportation or importation of any goods which are—

(2)In subsection (1), “Minister responsible” means the Minister to whom the functions under that subsection are assigned.

(3)An authorised officer shall not permit the exportation or importation of any goods in contravention of this section but shall in each case detain the goods being so exported or imported until he or she is satisfied that the appropriate licence has been obtained or any condition of the licence has been obtained or fulfilled, and any officer who fails to comply with this subsection commits an offence and shall on conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years and not more than fourteen years and shall in addition pay a fine of not more than two hundred fifty currency points and in default in payment of the fine shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a further term of not more than two years.

(4)In subsection (3), “authorised officer” means a customs officer in respect of matters of customs, a police officer, a trade development officer, a chief appointed under the Local Governments Act or vigilante groups.