URA fires Customs, integrity managers over corruption, misconduct

KAMPALA. The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has dismissed two senior officials following internal disciplinary proceedings over separate cases involving alleged corruption, irregular customs transactions and mishandling of investigations.

Those dismissed are Mr Asadu Kisitu Kigozi, the Commissioner for Customs, and Mr James Abola, the Assistant Commissioner for Integrity, Compliance and Ethics.

URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs confirmed the dismissals on Friday, saying they followed investigations into corruption-related cases against the two managers.

Details of the disciplinary proceedings, contained in internal documents and accounts from sources familiar with the cases, point to alleged solicitation of money, concealment of tax liabilities, irregular clearance of a luxury vehicle and interference with an investigation into Payment Reference Number (PRN) fraud.

The findings also reportedly cited unsatisfactory performance, aiding and abetting offences and gross negligence.

Mr Kigozi’s case involved allegations relating to customs clearance procedures and the handling of taxpayer information, while Mr Abola was accused of failing to properly investigate alleged PRN fraud and subsequently altering findings in an investigation report.

Mr Kigozi, who had served URA for more than 25 years, was suspended in April pending investigations. His suspension was subsequently maintained as the disciplinary process continued.

According to accounts of the proceedings, one of the allegations against him concerns the purported solicitation of Shs300 million from clearing agent Timothy Segaane in 2025, followed by a further Shs5 million in 2026.

He was also accused of concealing compliance information and the actual tax liability of Master Grain Milling in 2025, allegedly resulting in revenue losses.

In another incident, Mr Kigozi is alleged to have instructed the clearance of a Rolls-Royce vehicle in 2026 without following prescribed customs procedures relating to clearance, valuation and payment of taxes.

However, Mr Kigozi had contested aspects of the disciplinary process. In a September letter to former URA board chairman Emmanuel Katongole, he reportedly raised concerns about alleged coercion and inducement of witnesses, non-disclosure of material evidence and possible conflicts of interest.

His dismissal now brings to an end his long career at the tax authority, although the allegations and his objections remain important to the account of the disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Abola’s case, on the other hand, centred on his handling of an investigation into alleged PRN fraud involving Geoffrey Omonyi and Marvin Kayiima.

According to sources familiar with the proceedings, Mr Abola was tasked with investigating the allegations in 2024 but allegedly failed to conduct a comprehensive inquiry, establish appropriate findings and initiate disciplinary action against those implicated.

He was further accused of altering findings in the investigation report this year despite not being a member of the team that conducted the original investigation.

The dismissals come amid a series of investigations involving URA customs officials and clearing agents, raising questions about integrity in the administration of customs services and the enforcement of tax laws.

In August, URA announced the arrest of Mr Geoffrey Ssozi Kawere, its Manager for External Operations in the Customs Department, over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a taxpayer.

URA’s Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Mr Robert Kalumba, told journalists at the time that Mr Ssozi had initially demanded $100,000 before the amount was reportedly negotiated down to $60,000.

Mr Kalumba said the allegations emerged during an audit of a taxpayer, with members of Mr Ssozi’s team allegedly working with a clearing agent to approach the taxpayer and offer to halt the audit in exchange for payment.

The arrest followed a whistleblower’s report.

Mr Ssozi and another URA official, Mr Emmanuel Lutaaya, were subsequently charged before the Anti-Corruption Court over an alleged Shs235 million bribe involving Simbaland Cargo Holdings and Simbaland International Logistics.

Mr Ssozi denied the allegations, was later granted bail and has since claimed he was framed.

Another case involved clearing agent Mr Timothy Segaane, a director of Timways Logistics and Enterprises, who was arrested and charged over allegations including tax evasion, false customs declarations, corruption and conspiracy to contravene customs laws.

URA described his arrest as part of a wider crackdown on corruption within customs operations.

The latest dismissals come as the authority faces pressure to strengthen internal accountability while addressing concerns from the business community over the administration of customs services.

Traders have repeatedly raised concerns about cargo clearance delays, impounding of goods and uncertainty surrounding customs procedures, issues that can increase the cost of doing business and disrupt supply chains.

The integrity of customs operations is particularly important to government revenue collection, given the authority’s responsibility for assessing and collecting taxes on imported goods while facilitating legitimate trade.

URA’s ability to address misconduct within its ranks will therefore be closely watched by taxpayers and businesses that depend on predictable, transparent and efficient customs services.