Collaboration Key to Fighting Money Laundering - Expert

Government agencies have been advised to work together to stem the vice of money laundering that is on the rise in the country. Josephine Namatovu, the director of Anti-Corruption in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), made this call while leading a training session on money laundering for URA tax investigation staff on Tuesday.

Namatovu stated that when looking into tax crimes, MDAs including the Financial Intelligence Authority and the DPP’s office should be utilized. She pointed out that financial crimes are not limited to public servants. “For instance, when you start investigating a case and realize that a person has been dodging tax, add the charge of money laundering to the charge sheet to enable further investigations into their financial flows.” 

She added: “Many people have chosen money laundering because they greatly benefit from it. When you just give them a custodial sentence, they come out and enjoy the proceeds. We therefore need to incapacitate them so that they cannot get to the point again. We have been.”

According to the acting Assistant Commissioner of Tax Investigations Jimmy Ekemu, URA has been having challenges proceeding with some cases of tax evasion due to the element of money laundering that is outside the jurisdiction of the department. In addition to collaborating with sister agencies, Agnes Nabwire Asobola, the acting commissioner of Tax Investigations at URA revealed that URA is set to sign Memorandums of Understanding with law enforcement agencies.

These, she said, will enhance the fight against financial crimes in Uganda and increase tax recovery.