CORRUPTION! URA Manager Ssozi Geoffrey Caught Red-handed Receiving Sh222m Bribe At Kampala Restaurant

KAMPALA — Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has arrested one of its senior customs officials after he was allegedly caught receiving a USD60,000 (about Shs222 million) bribe from a taxpayer at a Kampala restaurant.

The suspect has been identified as Ssozi Geoffrey, the Manager of External Operations in the Customs department.

URA Assistant Commissioner, Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, confirmed the arrest, saying Ssozi allegedly approached a taxpayer whose company was undergoing a tax audit and offered to help stop or circumvent the process in exchange for money.

“There was an audit that was being done on the taxpayer and this team got in touch with the taxpayer, with the help of the clearing agent, and tried to convince them that they can help the taxpayer cut out that audit,” Kalumba said.

The alleged deal was initially set at USD100,000, but was later negotiated down to USD60,000, according to URA.

The arrest followed a whistleblower tip that alerted the authority to the alleged corruption scheme.

URA said its officials acted on the information and conducted further investigations before the suspect was arrested during the alleged exchange.

The clearing agent allegedly involved in the deal was also arrested and is assisting investigators as they pursue other people suspected to have been part of the scheme.

The seized money is expected to be presented in court as an exhibit once the case is formally processed.

URA said its legal team is preparing the necessary paperwork to facilitate prosecution.

The arrest comes amid renewed efforts by the tax body to crack down on corruption and revenue leakage within its ranks.

URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi has repeatedly warned staff against engaging in corruption, saying the authority maintains a zero-tolerance policy.

“The fight against corruption is intensifying in URA and we continue to uphold a zero-tolerance policy to it,” Musinguzi said.

He urged members of the public to report suspected corruption, saying whistleblowers play an important role in helping the authority close loopholes through which government revenue is lost.

The latest case adds to growing scrutiny of officials involved in tax administration, where corruption can undermine revenue collection and expose businesses to unfair demands.

URA has urged anyone with information about corruption involving its staff or operations to come forward and report it through its toll-free line 0800 257 700.

The authority said it will continue investigating corruption allegations and take action against individuals found culpable.