Former URA Tax Officer Remanded Over Alleged Shs9B Financial Loss to Government.

The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded Dennis Tumusiime 43, a former Uganda Revenue Authority Tax Officer to Luzira Prison. He is facing charges of abuse of office and causing a financial loss of over 9 billion shillings to the government.

Tumusiime, a resident of Katale village, Nsangi Parish, Kyengera Subcounty in Wakiso District, was brought before the court on Wednesday.

The presiding judge, Acting Senior Principal Magistrate Grade One Abert Asiimwe, charged him with six counts related to the abuse of office and causing financial loss.

During the period of January to December in 2019, 2020, and 2021, while working as a Tax Officer at Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Dennis Tumusiime allegedly made unauthorized changes to the tax records of different companies and individuals, resulting in a financial loss of over 9 billion Ugandan shillings for the government. The court was informed that Tumusiime knew that his actions were unjustifiable but went ahead with them anyway.

One specific instance provided in court was that Tumusiime allegedly altered the accounts of Fast Forwarding and Shipping Company Limited, reducing their tax liability from 648,729 shillings to zero.

The prosecution further alleges that during the period of January to December 2020, Tumusiime tampered with the tax liability of several entities. Specifically, he reduced the tax liability of African Capacity Development and Research Institute, Bageine and Company, Bageine and Company Limited, Brandguard Limited, Flavish Events Limited, J and E Civil Engineering Works Limited, Krystal Concepts Limited, Mass Projects Uganda Limited, Mr. Shem Bageine Bajura, Mukasa Couriers Limited, Prime Machinery Limited, Summy Trading International Company Limited, Swisa Enterprises Limited, and Twincom Technologies Limited, which totaled to 1,122,483,167 Ugandan shillings.

The prosecution further claims that Tumusiime continued to manipulate tax records between January and December 2021. During this time, he allegedly reduced the tax liability of Amiancy Investments Company Limited, Arcano Investments Limited, Grand Victoria Limited, Mr. Kalungi Godfrey, Mr. Robert Blick Migadde, Power Consults Engineering Limited, Prestige Electronics and Computers Limited, Rizwan Trading (U) Limited, Sarjan Construction Uganda Limited, Smartec Electronics Limited, and Taste Buds Limited, resulting in a loss of 4.5 billion shillings

Moreover, Tumusiime is also accused of reducing the tax liabilities of Smartwatch Solutions Limited, Tumbine Enterprises Limited, Mr. Abas Kalule, and Grand Victoria Limited during the same period. The total amount of tax liability he allegedly reduced for these entities was 3,718,939,675 shillings.

The prosecution, led by Stuart Ahabwe, has alleged that Tumusiime's actions were against the interests of his employer, Uganda Revenue Authority. Tumusiime, represented by lawyer Diana Kasabiiti, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has been remanded in custody until April 13th, 2023 while the investigations continue.