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KAMPALA - A city businessman has pleaded guilty to charges of making false statements related to tax fraud amounting to shillings 510 million.

Fred Wadda pleaded guilty to the charges on February 14, 2024, through a plea bargain.

He admitted the charges before the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Grade Magistrate Christopher Opit, that he made a false statement by claiming that Dansem Construction Limited had filed monthly value-added tax returns for the period of 2021.

Wadda's plea of guilt resulted in him being sentenced to a fine of shillings 12.9 million, with a default sentence of two years in jail if he fails to pay. The court ordered that the fine for all four counts shall run consecutively.

The prosecution said as a director of Dansem Construction Limited, Wadda filed a tax return to the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), falsely stating that the company had purchased goods worth shillings 510 million from Grace Nakito and agents.

The prosecution led by URA legal officer Stuart Aheebwa stated that Wadda committed the offences on September 4, 2023, in Kampala city, causing a loss of shillings 9.8 million to the tax body.

It was stated in court that Wadda has since paid shillings 9.8 million in addition to the fine.

Appearing in court with his lawyer Harold Turikye, Wadda waived his rights concerning the charges.

Turikye requested the court for a lenient sentence, emphasising that his client, Wadda, is a first-time offender who deserves another chance to reform.

Magistrate Opit accepted Wadda’s guilty plea, affirming that the court was convinced that the accused voluntarily waived his constitutional rights.

"This court, having reviewed this form and having questioned the accused concerning the accused's constitutional rights, finds that the accused has expressly, knowingly, understandably, and intelligently waived and given up his right. This court finds that the accused’s plea is freely and voluntarily made," Opit stated.