URA Commissioner General, John Musinguzi
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has further intensified the fight against corruption in a bid to improve revenue mobilization.
Well-placed sources say that 30 staff in the Customs docket have been suspended over integrity issues.
The Ag. Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs at the URA, Robert Kalumba, confirmed the suspension without divulging the actual number of those suspended and other details.
“Yes. Staff have been suspended,” said Kalumba. “But there is a procedure that is in our HR manual, which takes every suspended party through a process before any decision is made.”
Asked about rumors that the suspended staff were sent packing to create space for relatives of URA employees. Kalumba said, “Those are idle talks. Our HR systems are not rudimentary.”
Sources say that the suspended staff are linked to the current fraud involving groupage cargo and container leaders.
The URA has a target to mobilize Shs 36.71 trillion domestically this financial year.
In 2023, URA Commissioner General (CG), John Musinguzi Rujoki, revealed that about 80 staff had been suspended over integrity issues.
He did not specify the period under which these staff were let go over corruption-related issues.
According to Rujoki, the suspended staff were eliminated to free the Authority from corruption and ensure integrity in tax collection.
He emphasized that integrity is the minimum standard required from all involved in tax administration.
He added that the authority has established an independent department to hold staff accountable on integrity and moral issues and has made integrity one of its core values. Recognizing the complexity of fighting corruption, Musinguzi reiterated that the authority is committed to tackling the vice relentlessly.
“We are aware that the fight against corruption is not an easy one, but it is one we cannot afford to lose. That’s why we have committed ourselves to integrity. Anyone who does not heed this call will face expulsion,” he stated.
Musinguzi also pointed out that taxpayers themselves are involved in corruption, as it requires both parties—taxpayers and URA staff—to perpetuate the vice. To address this, URA is enhancing its verification systems and eliminating non-credible middlemen, also known as container leaders, who have been facilitating tax fraud through misdeclaration and under-declaration.
“These individuals have harmed URA’s reputation,” and Musinguzi confirmed that they will be removed from the system.
Between 2019 and 2023, the URA dismissed 140 staff members for corruption, with further investigations ongoing. Musinguzi made it clear that agents and taxpayers who facilitate corruption will also face prosecution, as allowed by law.
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