The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), working alongside the Uganda Police Force, arrested two individuals who had been impersonating URA officers and defrauding traders in Busabala.
The suspects identified as Batesaki Kassim (34) and Mugisha Justus (48), had been moving from shop to shop posing as URA clearing agents, threatening business owners with fines over alleged tax violations including the absence of Digital Tax Stamps on products such as waragi and cigarettes.
In return, they extorted money to “settle” the violations on the spot.
The breakthrough came when a victim of the scam alerted authorities, setting the stage for their arrest.
“These are not URA staff. They are criminals exploiting our name, and we are working tirelessly to weed such people out,” said Col. Cassette Ignatius Wamundu, Manager for Intelligence at URA, while confirming the arrest.
According to Col. Wamundu, the pair had managed to swindle shs500,000 from a trader just a day before their capture. During the arrest, Batesaki Kassim was found donning a URA-branded shirt, which he claimed was given to him by a former customs officer identified only as “Boaz.”
What shocked authorities further was Batesaki’s confession that he had been previously arrested five years ago for a similar offense, but walked free after being pardoned due to COVID-19-related disruptions at the time.
URA now plans to charge the suspects with impersonation and bribery, and confirmed they will be arraigned in court in the coming days.
In the wake of the arrest, the tax authority has issued a warning to the public.
“Always verify with official URA channels before making any payments or disclosures,” the authority urged, emphasizing that genuine URA officers are properly identified and follow official procedures.
The arrest forms part of URA’s wider crackdown on fraudulent networks that tarnish its image and defraud unsuspecting taxpayers. The authority has reiterated its commitment to protecting the public and restoring confidence in its operations.
As investigations continue, URA is encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through its verified communication platforms.
