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A mechanic has pleaded guilty to charges of impersonating Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) commissioner general Musinguzi Rujoki.

Thomas Odeke, 36, a resident of Gloria Village in Kapujan sub-county, Katakwi District, was sentenced to one-and-a-half years on March 28, 2024, after pleading guilty to charges of impersonating the Rujoki and the Commissioner of Tax Investigations.

The prosecution, led by URA supervisor litigation Diana Prida Praff and URA legal officer Thomas Davis Lomuria, stated that in December 2023 and March 2024, Odeke presented himself in different places in Busia district as both the commissioner general and the commissioner of tax investigation to the proprietors of supermarkets. He purported that he was conducting tax compliance.

Furthermore, the prosecution added that on March 20, 2024, while at Kisenyi cell in Busia municipality, Odeke presented himself as the URA customs supervisor of Busia One Stop Border Post. He claimed to be conducting compliance checks.

According to the brief facts of the case read out in court, Odeke obtained sh300,000 from the proprietor of Novia Supermarket. In addition, he obtained sh1m from the proprietor of Commodities Wholesale Supermarket.

Praff informed the court that Odeke was arrested after he attempted to falsely obtain sh50,000 from Keswala Wholesale Shop in Busia.

The prosecution asked for a deterrent sentence, emphasising that the offence which Odeke committed tarnishes the reputation of URA.

"The offences bring disrepute to the image of URA, especially considering that the officers the convict impersonated are senior managers. Obtaining money by false pretence not only hurts credibility but also impacts revenue collection, thereby fostering a negative image. We pray for a deterrent sentence,” Praff said.

On his part, Odeke apologised to the commissioner general of URA and vowed never to repeat the offence.

Magistrate Opit concurred with the prosecution's submission, acknowledging that the accused had committed grave offences.

"These are grave offences, and after considering the submissions from both parties, I note that the accused impersonated the commissioner general. He is remorseful and did not waste court’s time Therefore, he is sentenced to one-and-a-half years imprisonment for count one, one year for count two, eight months for count three, four months for count four, seven months for count five, and six months for count six. The sentences are to run concurrently," stated Opit.

What the law says

Under section 63(6) of the Tax Procedures Code Act of 2014 the offence elicits three years in jail.

Odeke also pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining money by false pretence contrary to section 305 of the Penal Code Act from three businessmen in Tororo. The offence attracts five-year jail term.