The tax body intercepted the smuggled phones along Kampala-Masaka highway at Lwera enforcement check-point.

The phones were discovered by authorities concealed in bags of coffee.

Also Read: URA burns cancer causing bleaching cosmetics worth billions

"One after another, the coffee bags were offloaded, checked thoroughly and the officers discovered thousands of boxes of phones," URA says

About 1,264 pieces of Itel branded smartphones and 2,611 pieces of assorted smartphone chargers and accessories, according to a statement from URA.

In May, the authority burned smuggled and banned items, including harmful cosmetics, worth billions of Uganda shillings.

About 21,740km of smuggled cigarettes worth over UGX1bn was burned in a move intended to protect consumers from harmful products, according to URA.