Two employees of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) accused of soliciting a bribe amounting to shillings 800 million from a taxpayer have been released on bail.

The Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Joan Aciro on February 12, 2024, freed Caroline Naggoli and Benedict Sekaayi, with each required to deposit a cash bail of shillings five million.

Their sureties were ordered to execute a non-cash bail amounting to shillings 150 million. Magistrate Aciro emphasised that failure to appear in court by the accused would result in the forfeiture of the bail amount by their respective sureties to the state.

In her ruling, Magistrate Aciro expressed confidence in the sureties presented, saying they would ensure the accused's appearance in court as required.

Defence lawyer Joseph Angura assured the court that his clients would fully cooperate with the trial proceedings and not abscond.

The charges against Naggoli and Sekaayi include offences of corruption and abuse of office, as outlined in sections 2(a), 26, and 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009 as amended.

If convicted, the offence of corruption carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail, while abuse of office could lead to a sentence of seven years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding sh1.3 million, or both.

According to the prosecution led by Hildah Atusimiire and Davis Lomuria, the alleged offences took place on March 30, 2023, at the Guanghua Hotel in Kololo, Kampala.

It is alleged that Naggoli and Sekaayi, in the performance of their duties as a supervisor and URA officer respectively, sought a bribe of sh800 million from Tong Jiao to reduce the tax liability from sh4.1 billion to sh2.2 billion.

Furthermore, the prosecution alleges that Naggoli and Sekaayi abused their positions at URA by demanding a bribe from Tong Jiao to reduce tax liability owed by Migoo and Trading Company Limited. The prosecution said this was prejudicial to the interests of URA.

Both accused persons have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court has adjourned the case to March 18, 2024, for the prosecution to provide an update on the status of inquiries.