The Anti-Corruption Court in Kampala has remanded a 35-year-old URA short-term employee on charges of corruption and abuse of office.

Prosecution, led by Davis Lomuria Thomas, alleges that on August 4, 2023, Kanzire Roggers, deployed in the Rental Tax Office, solicited and received a bribe of UGX 10 million from Isaac Byarugaba.

The court, presided over by his Worship Asiimwe Albert, heard that Kanzire and others still at large face two counts of corruption and abuse of office contrary to sections 2, 11, and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act.

Kanzire denied the charges laid against him, saying, “I do not know anything about those charges, and I have not received any money from anyone.”

Remanding Kanzire, His Worship Asiimwe advised that when an accused person is aware of the case, it would be better to apply for a plea bargain than go through the whole prosecution process.

The accused’s lawyers, led by Kwemara Kafuzi, requested bail, but this was rejected by the court, noting that Kanzira is a flight risk.

“I am giving you an assignment: go to the university of understanding and ponder on these charges against you; think about the 17 years in prison; think about a plea bargain in case the prosecution has valid evidence against you; and return to court on Friday, August 11, 2023, for the hearing of the case and bail application,” advised His Worship Asiimwe.

Representing the state, Lomuria said that investigations are over and the prosecution is ready.

Kanzira was on August 11, 2023 returned to the Anti-Corruption Court from where he was committed to the High Court over corruption charges.

The Magistrate’s court sitting at the Anti-Corruption Court has indicted and committed Kanzira to the High Court for trial on charges of corruption and abuse of office Act.

Court on Tuesday heard that, while at Great Burgers – Forest Mall, the accused met a taxpayer and solicited for a bribe in order to destroy a field assessment report and in turn reduce rental tax assessment of UGX 1,300,000,000/= (One Billion Three Hundred Million shillings) due from taxpayer’s properties.

URA prosecution team told court that investigations into the matter are complete and requested for trial.

Kanzira will appear at the High Court on 24^th August 2023 for mention of the case.

Corruption

Addressing officers in the rental tax unit recently, URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi cautioned staff to desist from the vice of corruption that is undermining revenue collection efforts and tarnishing URA’s reputation.