By Milton Olupot
FORMER Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) board secretary James Byamukama left the tax body with a debt of sh36m.

The deputy commissioner for finance, Joash Muhumuza, told the URA probe commission on Tuesday that Byamukama took salary advances and loans and by the time he left, the debt had accumulated to sh36,195,638.

Muhumuza appeared before the commission with the Commissioner for Finance, Wilson Othieno, to answer queries on poor financial management.

The commission chaired by Justice Julia Ssebutinde said financial regulations and accounting procedures were not followed in dispensing funds, leading to massive loss of government funds.

When asked why he continued lending money to Byamukama when he was not paying back the earlier loans, Muhumuza said, “My lord, this man was the most powerful man in URA and he was paid through the URA system.”

“You think somebody would have sacked you for doing your job right?’ Ssebutinde asked. To which Muhumuza answered, “you never know, people can twist reasons around to get rid of you.”

The two were also quizzed over what benefits URA employees get from the sports club that costs about sh100m per month. Othieno said he opposed the club but was overruled by the management executive committee.
Ends