Tax body commissioner apologises

By Paul Kiwuuwa
and Madinah Tebajjukira

MIKE Chibita, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) assistant commissioner, has apologised for sending a rude short message service (SMS) to MPs.

“I am sorry for sending to you a rude text message. I was not aware it was directed to MPs.”

Last week, Chibita did not turn up for the parliamentary proceeding after the clerk to the statutory authorities committee, Matha Mwadha, sent him an SMS asking him to appear for them.

He instead replied: “Sorry, I can’t make it this time. I have been to the committee twice and the MPs didn’t attend to me. I have work to do than attending a parliamentary committee.”

Chibita yesterday told MPs that he responded to the two first summons to attend parliamentary proceedings but the committee never convened.

He added that he was not aware that Parliament could summon a witness via an SMS.

But Sarah Nyombi noted: “We directed Mwadha to remind you of the summons since you had received two formal communications and the committee is free to summon a witness on telephone.”

Rose Munyira (NRM) said: “We are not witch-hunting you. The committee is fulfiling its constitutional obligation. We want to give you a hearing.”

The committee head by John Odit (UPC) had summoned Chibita over allegations that he blocked an informer from getting a commission after he tipped URA of forged motor vehicle road licences in 2006.

However, the commissioner of domestic taxes, Moses Kajubi, told the committee that the complainant, Michael Osekeny, had filed a suit against URA at the High Court.

The committee chairman, Odit, explained: “The committee can’t pursue the investigations untill the High Court has concluded the case in August.

“However, Chibita and Kajubi will come back to answer the queries raised in the Auditor General’ report.”