SMUGGLER BUST! URA Arrests Notorious Timothy Segane Over Tax Evasion, Trader Scam
Notorious Smuggler Timothy Segane
The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has arrested notorious smuggler Timothy Segane over a string of alleged tax evasion, customs fraud and trader exploitation cases.
Segane was apprehended by a URA enforcement team as part of the Authority’s intensified efforts to curb revenue leakages, corruption and practices that frustrate legitimate trade.
He is facing several cases, including tax evasion, under-declaration of customs duties and allegedly holding onto imported merchandise belonging to several traders.
URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, said Segane’s arrest followed nearly a year of investigations and complaints from traders who accused him of frustrating their businesses.
Kalumba said container leaders are often behind consignments being held for long periods, creating the impression that URA is responsible for the delays and causing a ripple effect across businesses.
“Taxpayers often claim that URA is holding their goods. But these are the actions of unscrupulous container leaders like Timothy Segane,” Kalumba said.
He said URA had been hunting for Segane for nearly a year after receiving tips that he was frustrating importers who were unaware of his dealings.
According to Kalumba, Segane’s company, Timways Enterprises Uganda Ltd, has been linked to the evasion of taxes amounting to hundreds of millions of shillings, as well as allegations of stealing from traders.
Kalumba further revealed that some of Segane’s alleged accomplices are URA staff, who are also under investigation.
“His accomplices, some of whom are URA staff, are also under investigation and will be brought to book,” Kalumba said.
Segane was denied bail and remanded to Murchison Bay Prison, Luzira, as investigations continue.
CG Moves Against Container Bosses
Segane’s arrest comes months after URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi personally intervened to rescue traders who claimed they had been fleeced and frustrated by fraudulent container leaders.
In May, several traders narrated how companies collected money from them, cleared their goods from the port and transported the consignments to Uganda, only to allegedly withhold them for months.
In some cases, traders said their goods were held for more than six months, with the companies allegedly blaming URA for the delays.
During a meeting with the affected traders, Musinguzi sympathised with the victims and thanked them for coming forward, assuring them that action would be taken against individuals exploiting traders using URA’s name.
“You have suffered enough at the hands of people who used our name to deceive you. The individuals and companies exploiting hardworking Ugandan traders by holding their goods and falsely blaming the Authority for delays will be held to account,” Musinguzi said.
He also urged other affected traders to come forward to the 16th Floor of URA Headquarters in Nakawa with supporting documents so that their cases could be handled expeditiously.
Kalumba said Segane’s case is among several investigations being pursued by URA as the Authority moves to protect taxpayers, improve service delivery and seal loopholes through which government revenue is lost.
The arrest also signals a tougher crackdown on individuals accused of using customs-related businesses to exploit traders while hiding behind URA to justify prolonged delays in releasing their merchandise.
GOT A HOT STORY? LET US KNOW!
Got breaking news, explosive secrets, or hard evidence?
Email us: redpeppertips@gmail.com
We accept tips, documents, videos, photos, and recordings—the more evidence you have, the better.
CONFIDENTIALITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. SOURCES ARE ALWAYS PROTECTED!
About Post Author
