ARRESTED: Ssozi Geoffrey
Uganda Revenue Authority has arrested Ssozi Geoffrey, the Manager, external operations, Customs who was allegedly caught receiving a bribe of USD 60,000 from a taxpayer at a renowned restaurant in Kampala last Thursday.
Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs Division Robert Kalumba confirmed the arrest explaining that the suspect had reached out to the taxpayer and asked for a bribe to help them overrun an ongoing audit on the taxpayer’s company.
“There was an audit that was being done on the tax payer and this team got in touch with the tax payer, with the help of the clearing agent and tried to convince them that they can help the tax payer cut out that audit,” Kalumba narrated.
Mr. Kalumba displaying money recovered from Ssozi.
Kalumba stated that that they received information from a whistleblower and acted on it leading to further findings that the suspect had asked for USD100,000 which was later negotiated to USD60,000 between the parties.
The arrest of the suspect is evidence to the various efforts that have been revamped by URA in its fight against corruption in the institution which the Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi has been very vocal about.
“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,” Musinguzi said.
Kalumba further explained that the clearing agent involved in the case had been arrested and was helping with the investigations of the other members who were involved.
The URA legal team is working on the paper work for the case and the money seized from the exchange will be submitted in court as an exhibit.
Uganda Revenue Authority continues to condemn and hold a zero-tolerance policy to corruption. All persons who have information are urged to whistle blow and reach out to the authority via their toll free number 0800257700.
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