Overview:
Ssozi Geoffrey, a manager in charge of external operations in the Customs Department, was arrested last Thursday after he was allegedly caught receiving the money at a restaurant in Kampala.
KAMPALA — The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has arrested a senior customs official accused of soliciting and receiving a $60,000 (about Shs210 million) bribe from a taxpayer in Kampala.
Ssozi Geoffrey, a manager in charge of external operations in the Customs Department, was arrested last Thursday after he was allegedly caught receiving the money at a restaurant in Kampala.
URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs Robert Kalumba confirmed the arrest, saying the official allegedly approached the taxpayer during an ongoing audit and offered to help have the exercise stopped.
“There was an audit that was being done on the taxpayer and this team got in touch with the taxpayer, with the help of the clearing agent, and tried to convince them that they can help the taxpayer cut out that audit,” Mr Kalumba said.
He said the authority received a tip-off from a whistleblower and subsequently investigated the allegations.
According to Mr Kalumba, the suspect initially demanded $100,000 from the taxpayer but the amount was later negotiated down to $60,000.
The official was then arrested during the alleged exchange.
Mr Kalumba said the clearing agent who allegedly facilitated contact between the official and the taxpayer was also arrested and is assisting investigators as they pursue other people suspected to have been involved.
The money recovered during the operation will be submitted to court as an exhibit, Mr Kalumba said, adding that URA’s legal team was preparing the case file.
The arrest comes as URA steps up its internal efforts to curb corruption and prevent revenue leakage, particularly in areas involving customs and tax administration.
URA Commissioner General John R Musinguzi said the authority had adopted a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and urged members of the public to report officials demanding bribes.
“The fight against corruption is intensifying in URA and we continue to uphold a zero-tolerance policy to it. We call upon the general public to report all incidents of corruption as we fight to close all gaps of revenue leakage from these avenues,” Mr Musinguzi said.
The authority has encouraged taxpayers and other members of the public to report suspected corruption through its toll-free line, 0800257700.
The arrest does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the allegations against Mr Ssozi will be tested through the judicial process.