Court demands encumbrance-free title in sh235m URA bribery case
The prosecution alleges that the duo, while employed by URA, arbitrarily solicited and received $60,000, about sh235m, from Wang for their own benefit as an inducement to improperly perform their duties by mismanaging the tax audit involving Simbaland Cargo Holdings Limited and Simbaland International Logistics Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that on August 13, 2026, at Stonehaven Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala, Ssozi corruptly received a sh235m bribe from David Wang for his own benefit and that of Lutaaya.
KAMPALA - A tax agent and director of Desler Logistics Uganda Limited accused of bribing two Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials with sh235m has been ordered to provide a verified land title as security for his bail application.
The Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court Principal Grade One Magistrate, Paul Mujuni, directed Emmanuel Karugaba to provide evidence that the land title he intends to surrender to court is free from any encumbrances.
Mujuni said the verification was necessary before the court could accept the title as security for bail.
“I would like to see a document confirming that the land title is free from any encumbrances before I consider his bail,” Mujuni said.
The magistrate directed Karugaba to produce the relevant land documents on September 24, 2026, to enable the court to verify the status of the property offered as security.
Mujuni said the documents would help establish whether the land title is genuine and free from any encumbrances before he considers Karugaba’s bail application.
The magistrate is expected to deliver his ruling after considering the documents and other submissions by the prosecution and defence.
Karugaba was charged before the Anti-Corruption Court on September 14, 2026, and remanded to prison before applying for bail.
He offered to surrender his certificate of title for land located in Ntungamo district, Rwampara county, Plot 903, Block 35, as security for bail.
The prosecution alleges that on August 13, 2026, at Stonehaven Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala, Karugaba, Wang Hui, alias Sunny Wang, and Wang Xiaobing, alias David Wang, offered a bribe of $60,000, about sh235m, to Geoffrey Ssozi Kawere and Emmanuel Lutaaya, both URA employees.
The two URA officials were allegedly arrested shortly after receiving the money, which had reportedly been concealed in food foils, as they made their way from Stonehaven Restaurant in Kololo.
According to the prosecution, the officials were intercepted while carrying the alleged bribe money, which had been wrapped and concealed in food packaging.
The prosecution said the money was intended to induce the URA officials to influence and mismanage a tax audit in favour of Simbaland Cargo Holdings Limited and Simbaland International Logistics Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that the act was contrary to and in breach of the officials’ duties as URA employees.
The prosecution, led by Manager of Prosecutions Lydia Katami and supervisor Thomas Lomuria from URA, alleges that Karugaba corruptly offered a sh235m bribe to induce the URA officials to improperly perform their duties by mismanaging a tax audit involving Simbaland Cargo Holdings Limited and Simbaland International Logistics Limited.
The two URA officials were charged earlier before the same magistrate. Ssozi Kawere has since been granted bail, while Lutaaya remains on remand after failing to present substantial sureties.
The prosecution further alleges that on August 13, 2026, at Stonehaven Restaurant in Kololo, Kampala, Ssozi corruptly received a sh235m bribe from David Wang for his own benefit and that of Lutaaya.
The money was allegedly received as an inducement for the two URA officials to improperly perform their duties by mismanaging a tax audit involving Simbaland Cargo Holdings Limited and Simbaland International Logistics Limited.
In a separate charge, Ssozi and Lutaaya were jointly charged with abuse of office contrary to Section 10 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2009, as amended.
The prosecution alleges that the duo, while employed by URA, arbitrarily solicited and received $60,000, about sh235m, from Wang for their own benefit as an inducement to improperly perform their duties by mismanaging the tax audit involving Simbaland Cargo Holdings Limited and Simbaland International Logistics Limited.
The prosecution further alleges that their actions were arbitrary and prejudicial to the interests of their employer. They denied the charges.
However, the two Chinese nationals, Wang Hui, 39, the country director of Simbaland International Logistics, and Wang Xiaobing, 57, the director of Simbaland Industries Limited, have not yet been charged.
What the law says
A person convicted of corruption under Sections 2(a) and 26 of the Anti-Corruption Act, Cap. 116, is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, a fine not exceeding sh4.8m, or both.
The offence of abuse of office attracts a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to sh3.6m, or both.
Bribery of a public officer attracts a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to sh3.2m, or both.
Katami and Lomuria informed the court that investigations into the matter were still ongoing and asked for more time to allow police to conclude their inquiries.
The case was adjourned to October 14, 2026, for mention.