URA Probes Logistics Company For 'Tax Evasion'

 The Uganda Revenue Authority's (URA) intelligence and customs is probing a clearing firm over alleged tax fraud.

Good Brothers Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Namanve Industrial Park, is being investigated over tax under-declaration of goods.

This scrutiny was triggered by social media and mainstream media reports of drivers complaining that their items had gone missing without a trace due to massive truck traffic congestion at Good Brothers ICD.

The congestion during the festive season was as a result of over 100 vehicles parking along roads at Good Brothers, leading to a surge in theft, particularly targeting fuel, batteries, and other valuable items from trucks.

 Consequently, URA appointed an intelligence and investigations team to investigate potential under-valuation of goods among over 100 trucks stationed at Good Brothers during the festive season.

 The team comprised, among others, Kellen Kiconco, Andrew Marvin Mutebi and Miriam Sayuni.

 A URA staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that they visited Good Brothers but declined to provide further details about the visit.

Of the 100 trucks, 20 were consolidated cargo.

A URA staff, who prefers anonymity, confirmed that they visited Good Brothers but declined to unleash details of the visit It is purported that three available URA officials, stationed at Good Brothers during the festive season, cleared these trucks within a span of four days, prompting concerns about possible irregularities.

The visitors book at Good Brothers, indicates that URA investigators visited the premises.

However, when contacted for elaboration, URA intelligence department officials declined to confirm or provide details about the visit.

When the reporter visited the premises, to get finer details of the probe, access was denied, without providing any justification.

The probe team instead referred the reporter to seek inquiries from URA Public and Corporate Affairs and Tax Investigations Department.

These departments confirmed receipt of complaints regarding fraudulent activities at Namanve Industrial Park and acknowledged the ongoing investigation.

 Furthermore, it is purported that URA fails to seize and auction the remaining goods belonging to these fraudulent perpetrators to recover the lost revenue, thereby allowing them to evade accountability.

During an interactive conversation, URA staff Miriam Sayuni said that heavy trucks being parked at Good Brothers is a common occurrence as the imposters wanted only certain flexible officers to clear their goods.

 However, the intervention of the Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) East traffic team at Namanve Industrial Park has successfully decongested the area, significantly reducing complaints from drivers about theft.

 “Since drivers were the primary complainants and are no longer reporting issues, it's clear that the situation has improved,” a police officer, who wished to remain anonymous, stated.

 Reported cases of lost items, such as car batteries, have decreased substantially due to the enhanced security measures in place.

CID officer Denis Onencan, through his efforts, successfully improved the situation and ensured that taxes were paid, serving the best interests of the country.

 According to a clearing agent, who prefers anonymity, clearing such a large number of trucks in a short period is impossible due to the URA rigorous clearance process.

This process includes offloading items from the trucks for physical verification.

The agent explained that during the inspection process, which involves verifying the value and quantity of goods, fraud is often orchestrated, particularly on items such as textiles.

Clearing woes at Good Brothers Recently, Yayeri Kagoya stated that some trucks had been waiting for weeks, with drivers enduring sleepless nights in their vehicles.

Meanwhile, imposters insisted that they clear their consignments at Good Brothers. He stated that the drivers hardly accessed fundamental necessities such as food, proper sanitation facilities, clean water, and bathing facilities.

 “We only have one toilet, which is grossly inadequate for the large number of us. As for bathing, we have to go inside, bathe, and then return to our vehicles to change clothes. However, the situation is extremely stressful, as I've been waiting to be cleared for many days now,” he lamented.

Another driver, Alex Luganda, revealed that the frustrating long wait, compelled him to leave his goods-laden truck, at the roadside, to the Good Brothers premises. “Even so on return after two days, the goods remained uncleared,” he said. He wondered why the emphasis is on URA officers at Good Brothers.

Luganda contrasted this experience with the efficient clearance process in Kenya, where goods are cleared much faster.