The Uganda Revenue Authority has arrested one of its managers and a clearing agent over an alleged $60,000 bribe scheme targeting a taxpayer under audit.
URA identified the manager as Geoffrey Kawere Sozzi, who works in External Relations in the Customs Department.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala on Monday, URA spokesperson Robert Kalumba said Sozzi was arrested last Thursday at about 9pm during a sting operation at a restaurant in Kampala, after money allegedly changed hands.
Kalumba said Sozzi was part of a group that approached the taxpayer through a clearing agent and offered to stop or influence an ongoing audit. The group initially demanded $100,000 before agreeing to $60,000, he said.
“A whistleblower alerted our investigations team, which tracked the suspects and effected the arrest,” Kalumba said. “Today is a sad day for URA. Without a whistleblower we would never have caught this man.”
The clearing agent linked to the deal has also been arrested and is assisting with investigations. URA said other members of the suspected network remain at large and are being pursued.
The Authority’s legal team is preparing the case file before Sozzi is produced in court.
URA described the arrest as part of a wider crackdown on corruption within the tax body and urged the public to report suspected corruption.
