Former URA Staff Remanded Over Shs108 Million Financial Loss

Ronald Mutebi, a former employee of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has been remanded to prison on charges of abuse of office and causing financial loss, in violation of sections 10 and 19 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2023.

Mutebi, aged 36 and a resident of Wakiso district, appeared before the Anti-Corruption Court, with Her Worship Esther Asiimwe presiding over the session. He has been remanded until August 23, 2024, when he is scheduled to return to court.

The State Prosecutor informed the court that Mutebi, alongside others who remain at large, used another individual's e-tax credentials to initiate and approve tax assessments favouring a third party. This fraudulent activity, which covered the period from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, reduced the income tax liability from Shs144.191 million to Shs36.191 million.

As a result of Mutebi's actions, the government incurred a financial loss amounting to Shs108 million. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, Mutebi was remanded due to the absence of sureties. He is set to appear in court again tomorrow for a bail application.

Mutebi was dismissed by the Management Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on October 25, 2023, a decision upheld by the Staff Appeals Committee (SAC) on January 12, 2024. After presenting substantial sureties, Mutebi has since been granted bail by the Anti-Corruption Court.