Dennis Tumusiime, a former tax officer with the Uganda Revenue Authority, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on allegations of abuse of authority and inflicting a loss to the government of more than 9 billion shillings.
Tumusiime, a 43-year-old resident of Katale village in the Nsangi Parish Kyengera Subcounty of the Wakiso District, was charged with six counts of causing financial loss and was arraigned before a court on Wednesday.
The court was presided over by Acting Senior Principal Magistrate Grade One Abert Asiimwe.
The court has been informed that Tumusiime, while working as a tax officer for the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), a public organization, between January and December 2019, 2020, and 2021, adjusted and reduced the tax of various businesses and individuals without justification, knowing that his actions would result in a loss to the Ugandan government of more than 9 billion shillings.
The breakdown claims that Tumusiime changed the Fast Forwarding and Shipping Company Limited ledgers from 648,729 shillings to zero.
Additionally, the prosecution claims that from January to December 2020 Tumusiime reduced the tax liability for African Capacity Development and Research Institute, Bageine and Company, Bageine and Company Limited, Brandguard Limited, Flavish Events Limited, J and E Civil Engineering Works Limited, Krystal Concepts Limited, Mass Projects Uganda Limited, Mr. Shem Bageine Bajura, Mukasa Couriers Limited, Prime Machinery Limited, and Summy Tradi by 1,122,483,167 shillings
Additionally, it is claimed that between January 2021 and December 2021, Tumusiime allegedly reduced tax payments totaling 4.5 billion shillings ((4,576,701,848) from goods sold by Amiancy Investments Company Limited, Arcano Investments Limited, Grand Victoria Limited, Mr. Kalungi Godfrey, Mr. Robert Blick Migadde, Power Consults Engineering Limited, Prestige Electronics and Computers Limited, Rizwan Trading (U) Limited, Sarjan Construction
Tumusiime is also accused of lowering the tax obligations of Grand Victoria Limited, Mr. Abas Kalule, Tumbine Enterprises Limited, and Smartwatch Solutions Ltd for 3,718 939 675 shillings.
The prosecution, which is being lead by Stuart Ahabwe, alleges that Tumusiime’s acts were arbitrary in relation to the employer, the Uganda Revenue Authority.
As investigations continue, Tumusiime, who was being represented by attorney Diana Kasabiiti, entered a not-guilty plea and was remanded to April 13th 2023.