Chinese businessman charged with tax fraud
Oct 24, 2024
Lin, 40, a Chinese national and resident of Bugolobi in Nakawa Division, Kampala, was charged with two counts on October 23, 2024.
Lin Lin M (C) a 40-year-old Chinese director of Limwin Holdings Limited celebrating with colleagues after securing bail from the Anti-corruption court in Kampala where he was taken to answer to two counts all related to taxes. (Photo by Lawrence Mulondo)
Edward Anyoli
Journalist @New Vision
_______________
The Director of Linwin Holdings Ltd has been charged with making false statements to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Lin, 40, a Chinese national and resident of Bugolobi in Nakawa Division, Kampala, was charged with two counts on October 23, 2024.
Lin was charged at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by the grade one magistrate Esther Asiimwe.
He was charged under Section 67(1)(a) of the Tax Procedure Code Act, Cap 343. Upon conviction, the offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail or a fine not exceeding shilling 110 million.
It is alleged that on September 9, 2024, in Bugolobi, Kampala, Lin, as the Director of Linwin Holdings Ltd, knowingly filed false Value Added Tax (VAT) monthly returns with the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), falsely claiming to have purchased goods worth shillings 20 million from Africa Asia Construction Ltd.
The prosecution, led by acting manager in charge of prosecution Stuart Aheebwa, alleges that on November 10, 2019, in Bugolobi, Lin, the Director of Linwin Holdings Ltd, submitted another falsified VAT returns to URA. He claimed to have purchased goods worth shillings 19 million from Africa Asia Construction Limited, which was untrue. Lin denied the charges.
Lin was granted bail after presenting two sureties, whom the court found substantial.
David Kamukama, the lawyer representing Lin, assured the court that his client would not abscond if granted bail. He emphasised that the state already holds Lin's passport, which reduces the risk of him fleeing. Kamukama further stated that the sureties presented would also guarantee Lin's appearance in court whenever required, as his commitment to comply with court orders.
Magistrate Asiimwe freed Lin on a cash bail of shillings five million, while his sureties were required to execute a non-cash bond of shillings 10 million each.
Aheebwa informed the court that investigations were ongoing and requested more time for the police to conclude their inquiries. The case was adjourned to November 8, 2024, for the state to update the court on the progress of the investigations.