URA staff petition court
Nov 02, 2009
TWELVE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials accused of causing financial loss of over sh700m have petitioned the High Court seeking orders to exclude them from URA departmental investigation into the alleged under-declaration of goods by Genesis (U) L
By Hillary Kiirya
TWELVE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials accused of causing financial loss of over sh700m have petitioned the High Court seeking orders to exclude them from URA departmental investigation into the alleged under-declaration of goods by Genesis (U) Ltd.
Through their advocate, Fred Muwema, the petitioners filed the application following a ruling by the trial magistrate, Olive Kazarwe, allowing for the investigation as submitted by the state, who said any order restraining URA would be illegal.
Deputy DPP Simon Mugenyi Byabakama said URA can take disciplinary action for the offences.
However, Muwema said a parallel inquiry by URA was illegal. He said URA had already investigated and reports on the accused were available.
He added that a parallel inquiry would bias the case, causing an unfair trial and infringe the petitioners’ rights.
He added that URA was an interested party which cannot conduct an impartial hearing to the petitioners, who are already in court. The petitioners include, Evelyn Nyakato, Immaculate Lugolobi, James Malinzi, Ogwapus Namugwanya, James Yefeho, David Mugomba, Charles Enenu, Kymanywa, Christine Winyi, Hassan Kakooza and Robert Karemire.
TWELVE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials accused of causing financial loss of over sh700m have petitioned the High Court seeking orders to exclude them from URA departmental investigation into the alleged under-declaration of goods by Genesis (U) Ltd.
Through their advocate, Fred Muwema, the petitioners filed the application following a ruling by the trial magistrate, Olive Kazarwe, allowing for the investigation as submitted by the state, who said any order restraining URA would be illegal.
Deputy DPP Simon Mugenyi Byabakama said URA can take disciplinary action for the offences.
However, Muwema said a parallel inquiry by URA was illegal. He said URA had already investigated and reports on the accused were available.
He added that a parallel inquiry would bias the case, causing an unfair trial and infringe the petitioners’ rights.
He added that URA was an interested party which cannot conduct an impartial hearing to the petitioners, who are already in court. The petitioners include, Evelyn Nyakato, Immaculate Lugolobi, James Malinzi, Ogwapus Namugwanya, James Yefeho, David Mugomba, Charles Enenu, Kymanywa, Christine Winyi, Hassan Kakooza and Robert Karemire.