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Man arrested for allegedly impersonating URA officer
Investigators said the suspect was found dressed in what appeared to be an official URA uniform and allegedly demanded money from residents while presenting himself as a tax official.
Man arrested for allegedly impersonating URA officer
By: Simon Masaba, Journalist @New Vision
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Police in Kasese district have arrested a businessman accused of masquerading as an official from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) while allegedly extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspect, identified as 35-year-old Muhammad Bwambale, was arrested in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council after residents reportedly questioned his conduct.
Investigators said the suspect was found dressed in what appeared to be an official URA uniform and allegedly demanded money from residents while presenting himself as a tax official.
Rwenzori East Regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate said the suspect was intercepted at Kabuyiri Cell before being handed over to Mpondwe Police Station.
Detectives are now investigating whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a wider impersonation racket targeting businesses operating around the busy border town.
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent government agencies before making payments or surrendering personal information.
Detectives are now investigating whether the suspect acted alone or was part of a wider impersonation racket targeting businesses operating around the busy border town.
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent government agencies before making payments or surrendering personal information.
The arrest comes amid continued police operations targeting fraudsters exploiting the names and uniforms of government institutions to deceive the public.
This is not the first time police have arrested suspects impersonating URA staff. In June this year, security arrested a man suspected of repeatedly impersonating top URA officials, including the Commissioner General.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Odeke, allegedly posed as URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi and, on other occasions, as the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, Commissioner of Customs, and various URA tax officers.
The URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, said Odeke was targeting unsuspecting members of the public across different locations.
He said Odeke was apprehended following a public tip-off on June 8, 2026, as he drove a vehicle with registration number UA541DM.
This is not the first time police have arrested suspects impersonating URA staff. In June this year, security arrested a man suspected of repeatedly impersonating top URA officials, including the Commissioner General.
The suspect, identified as Thomas Odeke, allegedly posed as URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi and, on other occasions, as the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, Commissioner of Customs, and various URA tax officers.
The URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, said Odeke was targeting unsuspecting members of the public across different locations.
He said Odeke was apprehended following a public tip-off on June 8, 2026, as he drove a vehicle with registration number UA541DM.