URA Distances Itself from Tax Fraud by Soldiers

Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has distanced itself from the reported fraudsters who attempted to fleece an Indian businessman.

Police on Thursday night foiled an attempt by UPDF soldiers to fleece Indian investors of ‘taxes’.

The business which according to available information is a workshop for Indian investors dealing in computers is registered as Mitsumi Computer garage Ltd.

According to a statement released by the deputy army spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiiki, two UPDF soldiers who were allegedly involved in the ploy have been arrested. One of them has been identified as Corporal Isoke.

Three other suspects purportedly working with the tax collection body Uganda Revenue Authority who had made it a routine to extort money from these investors are on the run.

Police has also impounded thirteen computers which were already loaded on the van purportedly due to the company’s failure to pay taxes were impounded. A number of URA documents related to tax were also found at the scene.

In the wake of Thursday’s incident, URA has issued a statement denying any involvement in the alleged fraud.

“Our attention has been drawn to claims that UPDF soldiers purportedly used URA’s name in an attempt to fleece a business man dealing in computers. They had fake URA seals and documents in the guise to defraud the city based businessman,” a statement issued by Ian Rumanyika, the Manager for Corporate and Public Affairs at URA.

“We want to categorically state that none of our staff was involved in the incident. The fraudsters were driving a UPDF vehicles in its operations”.

The tax body says that its staff put on uniform and carry identification cards while in the field which wasn’t the case in the incident.

The Authority has asked the public to be vigilant and report extortionists who want to bring its image to disrepute.

They said the incident has been reported to the authorities and we are working with the Police and UPDF to make sure the culprits face the law.