URA officers accused of releasing impounded beer despite court stay

KAMPALA — Legal and tax officials at the Uganda Revenue Authority face accusations of defying a court order after allegedly releasing two containers of suspected counterfeit beer that had been slated for impoundment.

The allegations are contained in a Feb. 6 petition filed by Rashid Babu, a lawyer representing Agro Value Limited. The petition, addressed to the URA commissioner of customs, claims the tax body released the goods despite an interim order from the Jinja High Court specifically barring their movement.

Agro Value Limited, the owners of Rambo Beer, is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Royal Crown International and the URA over the disputed consignment.

According to Babu, the Jinja High Court issued the order Jan. 30 to restrain the release of containers MRKU 3492510 and MRKU 3512302. The order, signed by deputy registrar Robert Mukanza, was meant to remain in effect until the disposal of an application for a temporary injunction.

Babu stated that although the order was served on the tax body Feb. 2, URA officers — including senior tax and legal manager Blaise Ikwero — allegedly proceeded to release the goods to Royal Crown International.

The lawyer warned that the URA’s actions have undermined the judicial process. He demanded that the tax body immediately re-impound the goods or face legal consequences.

If the URA fails to act, Babu said he would petition the State House Anti-Corruption Unit to investigate the officers involved. The petition suggests that the release may have been tied to allegations of extortion by certain officials within the tax body.

The dispute is part of a broader international trademark battle. Court documents indicate Agro Value has owned the Rambo Beer trademark for more than 10 years and has filed similar lawsuits in Poland, Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates to combat a counterfeiting syndicate that emerged seven months ago.

“While other jurisdictions are respecting the law, Uganda, which should have set a precedent, has done the contrary through URA’s alleged violation of court orders,” Babu stated.

The investigation into the suspected syndicate has already drawn in Interpol. Authorities in Kampala have reached out to counterparts in Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, China and the Netherlands to track the flow of the counterfeit products.

Mathias Mulumba, the human resource officer for Agro Value Limited, noted that the syndicate appears to be utilizing the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to move the beer into the regional market.