URA parades staff for allegedly receiving sh223m bribe
The accused, Geoffrey Ssozi, the Manager, External Operations Customs in Dar-es-Salaam, allegedly received the funds from Simbaland, a big cargo consolidator in the country.
Robert Kalumba, the URA assistant commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, displays the USD 60,000 (sh223m) as an exhibit in bribery allegations against a senior staff, Geoffrey Ssozi, the Manager, External Operations Customs in Dar-es-Salaam. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
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Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) on Monday (August 17) paraded one of their senior staff before journalists after being arrested on allegations of soliciting a bribe worth $60,000 (sh223m).
The accused, Geoffrey Ssozi, the Manager, External Operations Customs in Dar-es-Salaam, allegedly received the funds from Simbaland, a big cargo consolidator in the country.
Robert Kalumba, the URA assistant commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, revealed that Ssozi got the money from the client, with promises of helping them manipulate a tax audit that had been conducted on their enterprise.
Robert Kalumba, the URA assistant commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, displays the USD 60,000 (sh223m) as an exhibit in bribery allegations against a senior staff, Geoffrey Ssozi, the Manager, External Operations Customs in Dar-es-Salaam. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
Upon receiving the information, the URA team last Thursday followed the accused, without his knowledge, to a renowned restaurant in Kampala where he had gone to meet the client.
“Immediately after the money was exchanged at about 9:00pm, the gentleman was arrested and we are processing the necessary papers to take him to court,” Kalumba said.
Kalumba highlighted that Ssozi’s bribery negotiation started from as high as $100,000 (about sh370m), before he finally settled for $60,000.
The visibly distressed Ssozi argued that the accusations are based on misunderstandings, half-truths, and what he believes was a deliberate set-up.
Geoffrey Ssozi, the Manager, External Operations Customs in Dar-es-Salaam, speaking during the press brief.(Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)
Ssozi said he has worked with URA for over 10 years handling cargo-trade projects, which were aimed at helping small traders clear goods efficiently.
Ssozi denied negotiating for a bribe but confirmed meeting the client at a city restaurant and receiving the money, which he mistook for a ‘friendly gift’.
“I did not know that the package contained money. I assumed it was a friendly gift or a takeaway item from the restaurant,” he said.