Former URA officer on trial over alleged sh800 million bribe
According to the prosecution, Sekaayi allegedly sought the money in exchange for reducing the individual's tax liability.
According to the prosecution, the offences occurred on March 30, 2023, at Guanghua Hotel in Kololo, Kampala. (File photo)
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Former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) tax officer Benedict Sekaayi will on Monday (October 26) appear before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Nakasero for a hearing in a case where he is accused of soliciting a sh800 million bribe from a taxpayer.
According to the prosecution, Sekaayi allegedly sought the money in exchange for reducing the individual's tax liability.
He was jointly charged with his supervisor, Caroline Naggoli, who pleaded guilty to corruption and abuse of office charges on July 27 this year before Justice Michael Elubu.
The prosecution, led by Thomas Davis Lomuria, a supervisor in charge of prosecutions at URA, is expected on Monday to present its fourth witness against Sekaayi, who has denied the charges.
Naggoli admitted soliciting the money for personal benefit, although she told court that she did not receive it. She was fined sh8.1 million and barred from holding public office for 10 years. The judge ordered that she would serve 10 years in prison if she failed to pay the fine. She reportedly paid the fine.
Prosecution’s case
According to the prosecution, the offences occurred on March 30, 2023, at Guanghua Hotel in Kololo, Kampala.
The prosecution said that Naggoli and Sekaayi abused their positions at URA by demanding a bribe from Jiao to reduce tax liability owed by Migoo and Trading Company Limited. They stated that the acts were prejudicial to the interests of URA.
Sekaayi is out on bail.
In late July this year, Naggoli entered into a plea bargain and was subsequently convicted on her own plea of guilty.
She told the court that she had solicited the bribe for her own benefit and intended to use the money for personal purposes. She also said she had voluntarily chosen to plead guilty, fully understood the consequences of her decision and waived her constitutional right to a full trial.
A plea bargain is an agreement between an accused person and the prosecution in which the accused admits to the charges in exchange for a possible lighter sentence or reduced charges.