World news story

Stolen cars returned to the UK after handover in Kampala

British High Commissioner attends high-profile event at Uganda Revenue Authority HQ

HE Alison Blackburne with URA official and NVCIS representatives

HE Alison Blackburne with a Uganda Revenue Authority official and representatives from the UK’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NVCIS)

On 9 February, British High Commissioner HE Alison Blackburne was the guest of honour at a ceremony at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), to mark the handover of stolen British cars seized in Uganda. The cars, impounded at URA headquarters, will now be repatriated to the UK. This morning’s event received considerable coverage in the Ugandan and international media.

Handover ceremony

A representative from the Uganda Police Force speaks to the press during the handover ceremony

A team of expert officers from the UK’s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NVCIS) were also present at the event in Kampala. They are currently visiting Uganda, and providing training to URA and Ugandan Police officials on how to identify and seize stolen cars.

This week’s event and visit are part of an ongoing programme of co-operation between the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the NVCIS and the Ugandan authorities to tackle the theft of high value vehicles in the UK and subsequent smuggling into the Ugandan market.

Published 9 February 2016