URA Manager Arrested in Kampala Over Alleged Shs220 Million Bribe

Detectives from the Uganda Revenue Authority’s internal investigative unit apprehended Geoffrey Ssozi, a Manager for External Operations in the Customs Department, last Thursday during a sting operation in Kampala. Ssozi was reportedly caught receiving $60,000, equivalent to approximately Shs220 million.

According to URA Assistant Commissioner Robert Kalumba, Ssozi is accused of soliciting this sum from an investor to halt an ongoing tax audit on the investor’s company. Kalumba stated that Ssozi’s team, with the help of a clearing agent, allegedly approached the taxpayer with an offer to quash the audit.

The operation was initiated following a tip-off from a whistleblower. The clearing agent involved in facilitating the transaction has also been detained and is assisting with the investigation, which aims to identify any other potential accomplices within URA.

URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi reaffirmed the authority’s stringent zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and encouraged public cooperation in reporting corrupt practices to help prevent revenue leakages.

However, Ssozi has denied the allegations, asserting he was framed as part of a larger scheme related to cargo consolidation fraud. He claims the money was handed to him by a significant cargo consolidator and the coordinating agent was an acquaintance from his previous role in Jinja, suggesting his enforcement actions in the past have made him a target for fraudulent operators.

The URA is finalizing charges and will present the seized cash as evidence. The authority continues to urge the public to report any information regarding tax fraud or staff misconduct via their toll-free hotline at 0800-257-700.

Source: https://www.monitor.ug/uganda/news/national/ura-manager-arrested-in-kampala-over-shs220m-alleged-audit-bribe-trap-5561002