URA denies torturing suspected smuggler
Jan 07, 2009
THE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has dismissed claims by a man who said its officials tortured him on suspicion that he had smuggled goods.
THE Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has dismissed claims by a man who said its officials tortured him on suspicion that he had smuggled goods, reports Anne Mugisa.
Daily Monitor of January 6, had reported that Mutwalibi Mukoli said he was travelling to Iganga district to pick a sick relative when his vehicle broke down at Ndaira and URA officials took his car keys and phone.
He said the officials took him to Tiira, nine kilometres from Busia, where they found an omnibus carrying smuggled items, but the occupants fled.
He added that when he was freed, he found his vehicle missing. When he demanded that his car be produced, the officials returned him to Tiira and threatened to shoot him, calling him a smuggler.
But URA officials, in a statement, denied that Mukoli was tortured, adding that while he was with them, he kept receiving calls from people they suspect were his accomplices demanding to know where he was. They said Mukoli claimed his car was stolen so as to divert attention from his crime and frame the officials who arrested him.
Officials at the tax body said they arrested Mukoli after a tip-off and that he was alone at a suspected location.
They said they suspected he was part of the smuggling advance team. They also alleged that when he was in the patrol vehicle with them, the smugglers called him demanding to know his location.
“He directed the enforcement officers where the Toyota Hiace loaded with textile fabrics was concealed awaiting take off to the desired market,†URA stated, adding that the vehicle was driven to a URA checkpoint with Mukoli and a statement was taken from him.
It said on his release, Mukoli went to the Busia Police and opened two cases of torture and theft of a vehicle. However, Mukoli’s vehicle was later found by URA officials hidden with smuggled goods.
Daily Monitor of January 6, had reported that Mutwalibi Mukoli said he was travelling to Iganga district to pick a sick relative when his vehicle broke down at Ndaira and URA officials took his car keys and phone.
He said the officials took him to Tiira, nine kilometres from Busia, where they found an omnibus carrying smuggled items, but the occupants fled.
He added that when he was freed, he found his vehicle missing. When he demanded that his car be produced, the officials returned him to Tiira and threatened to shoot him, calling him a smuggler.
But URA officials, in a statement, denied that Mukoli was tortured, adding that while he was with them, he kept receiving calls from people they suspect were his accomplices demanding to know where he was. They said Mukoli claimed his car was stolen so as to divert attention from his crime and frame the officials who arrested him.
Officials at the tax body said they arrested Mukoli after a tip-off and that he was alone at a suspected location.
They said they suspected he was part of the smuggling advance team. They also alleged that when he was in the patrol vehicle with them, the smugglers called him demanding to know his location.
“He directed the enforcement officers where the Toyota Hiace loaded with textile fabrics was concealed awaiting take off to the desired market,†URA stated, adding that the vehicle was driven to a URA checkpoint with Mukoli and a statement was taken from him.
It said on his release, Mukoli went to the Busia Police and opened two cases of torture and theft of a vehicle. However, Mukoli’s vehicle was later found by URA officials hidden with smuggled goods.