URA employees’ case over sh800m bribery deferred to May 6

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The trial of a supervisor at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), accused of allegedly soliciting a bribe of sh800 million from a taxpayer, has been deferred.

On March 23, 2026, the Anti-Corruption Court in Nakasero, through its deputy registrar, Patrick Talisuna, adjourned the case after the trial judge, Justice Michael Elubu, was reported to be away on official duty attending a conference.

The prosecution had lined up its third witness to testify in the case involving URA supervisor Caroline Naggoli and tax officer Benedict Sekaayi.

Talisuna informed both the prosecution and the defence that the matter had been adjourned to May 6, 2026, for further hearing on behalf of the judge.

“This case is adjourned to May 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. for further hearing, and the accused persons’ bail has been extended,” Talisuna said.

The charges against the accused include offences of corruption and abuse of office, as stipulated in sections 2(a), 26, and 11(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2009, as amended. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in jail, while abuse of office attracts a sentence of seven years in jail or a fine not exceeding sh1.3m, or both.

Prosecution’s case

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences took place on March 30, 2023, at Ganghua 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 sh4.1b to sh2.2b.

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 purports that the acts were prejudicial to the interests of URA. They denied all the charges and are out on bail.