Overview:
Prosecution indicates that Mr.Mujuni, Bwambale Moses Muzigiti, and others who are still at large, in November 2021 while in the town of Kasese affixed forged tax stamps on 187 cartons of Rahaa waragi, leading to the lost of UGX1,221,264 in tax.
The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has ordered Balya Mujuni Haithum to pay a fine of UGX10m or face imprisonment of up to 8 months for affixing forged digital tax stamps on products.
Prosecution indicates that Mr.Mujuni, Bwambale Moses Muzigiti, and others who are still at large, in November 2021 while in the town of Kasese affixed forged tax stamps on 187 cartons of Rahaa waragi, leading to the lost of UGX1,221,264 in tax.
This is acted contrary to the Tax Procedures Code Act which states that stamps can only be affixed as prescribed by the Commissioner.
Mujuni was therefore charged a fine of UGX10m after consenting to committing the crime.
By presstime on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, he was yet to decide whether to pay the fine or serve the jail term.
Effective May 2022, Uganda Revenue Authority made five more products that must bear digital tax stamps aside of Beer, Soda, Bottled water, Wines, Spirits, Tobacco products, Sugar and cement which were gazetted earlier.
The new products included cooking oil, juices, alcoholic, non-alcoholic and fermented beverages.
URA therefore encouraged every manufacturer, importer, distributor, agent or trader of these gazetted goods to utilize the transitional period of two months and ensure all stock of gazetted goods bears a Digital Tax Stamp.