URA Officers Manipulate Tax TINs to Steal UGX 319 Million

(Kampala) – When you think of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), you imagine tireless civil servants keeping our tax money safe, right? Well, it seems a few of them have decided to play a different game—dodging the very taxes they’re supposed to protect. We are not talking about a few missed shillings here and there. These suspects allegedly tinkered with over UGX 319 million in taxes. The same taxes we pay for services like fixing potholes and buying chalk for UPE schools.
The Anti Corruption Court, Nakasero branch, presided over by Senior Principal Magistrate Albert Asiimwe, heard the case of three URA customs officers—John Mawerere, Godfrey Omony, and Marvin Kayima—charged with making UGX 319 million in taxes disappear faster than a boda boda in a traffic jam on September 18, 2024. But alas, it wasn’t the great tax fraud showdown we expected. Instead, the case was deferred to November 11, 2024 because apparently, Hildah Atusiimire, URA’s acting manager, still needs more time to figure out just how deep the rot goes.
Who Are These Officers?
atOptions = {
'key' : 'f218202afc9e62ec94ed6000a40d0cba',
'format' : 'iframe',
'height' : 90,
'width' : 728,
'params' : {}
};
Now, let’s meet the stars of this tax drama. John Mawerere hails from Katabi in Entebbe, Wakiso District, a serene area by the lake where you can apparently plot to tamper with government computer systems in peace. Godfrey Omony calls Kyebando in Kawempe Division home, where, we imagine, the neighbourhood was quite proud of having a URA officer in their midst—until now. Finally, Marvin Kayima from Banda, Wakiso District, rounds out this trio. Together, they face multiple charges, each one painting them as masterminds in the art of avoiding taxes.
This isn’t just a three man show. Joining the three are Joshua Rubagasira Asiimwe, manager of Toll Free Spectrum; Ignatius Kabuye, a driver at Emmy Trinity Investment Ltd; Jackson Birungi (who must be too mysterious for a detailed introduction), and Mohammed Kaye, a clearing agent at Epitome Clearing and Forwarding. More individuals, like Farouk Nsubuga and Sunday Kidega, are expected to make an appearance in this legal shake down.
What’s All the Fuss About?
So, what exactly did these gentlemen allegedly do? On August 6, 2024, and the URA’s computer systems were minding their own business when—bam!—they were hit with a digital heist. The accused are said to have tampered with the system, tweaking the payment status of Tax Identification Number (TIN) 1041669773, belonging to Exoon Mobil. They allegedly claimed UGX 125 million in taxes had been paid. Spoiler alert: it hadn’t.
The boys didn’t stop there. Next, they reportedly meddled with TIN 1027802835, belonging to a one Shifik Wamala, pretending to clear UGX 24.1 million in taxes for a vehicle with the catchy number plate UBR 998H. Guess what? No money changed hands.
It wasn’t just vehicles. Used clothes, too, found their way into the fraud mix. On August 2, 2024, Kaye, one of the accused, is said to have evaded UGX 95 million in taxes using two different TINs, all in the name of El Syed and Kafunjo Logistics Ltd.
You’ve got to hand it to them. This wasn’t your run of the mill tax evasion. These guys went full James Bond on URA’s computer systems. Using TIN 1001053566 (belonging to Abdallah Oyee), they are accused of tweaking the system to clear UGX 14.9 million for a Hino truck. They did something similar with TIN 1018894331 (belonging to Gala Logistics and Forwarders), allegedly faking the payment of UGX 13.3 million. Forget hacking into bank accounts—this is hacking into taxes. Imagine the skill, or should we say mischief, required to pull that off?
The Consequences (Or Lack Thereof, For Now)
While the accused men are currently out on bail, their freedom is likely as temporary as a power outage during a Kampala thunderstorm. Should they be found guilty under sections 192(a), 203(e), and 208 of the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004, they could face up to three years in jail or a fine of UGX 37 million. Let’s hope that’s enough to deter any would be tax dodgers lounging in Nakawa.
Even as this tax thriller plays out, the larger question remains—how many more are out there tinkering with URA systems, turning tax payments into illusions?
Accused Individuals
Alleged Fraudulent Actions
TIN Used
Amount in UGX
John Mawerere, Godfrey Omony, Marvin Kayima
Tampered with URA system to falsify tax payment for Exoon Mobil
TIN 1041669773
125 million
The Same Trio
Manipulated URA system to falsify payment for vehicle UBR 998H
TIN 1027802835
24.1 million
Mohammed Kaye
Evaded tax payments for used clothes
TIN 1015889416 & 1015851600
95 million
Mawerere, Omony, Kayima, Kabuye
Falsified tax payment for Hino truck using Abdallah Oyee’s TIN
TIN 1001053566
14.9 million
The Same Group
Altered payment status for Gala Logistics and Forwarders
TIN 1018894331
13.3 million
Tax fraud, just like a jerrycan of local brew, has its way of getting into every nook and cranny of society. Let’s just hope the magistrate has the resolve to tighten the lids before more shillings spill out.