Over 300 cars have fake number plates
Jun 25, 2009
INVESTIGATIONS into the car registration scam have so far discovered over 340 falsified number plates country-wide, according to a source in URA.
By Cyprian Musoke
INVESTIGATIONS into the car registration scam have so far discovered over 340 falsified number plates country-wide, according to a source in URA.
The probe also revealed that up to four cars share the same number plate, and that millions have been lost in revenue for each fraudulent transaction.
The Police are still trying to establish the extent of the fraud before deciding on the next course of action.
According to documents submitted to court, most vehicles with fake number plates are luxury saloon cars, four-wheel drives and trucks.
URA official, Collin Muhumuza Kashumba, who headed the central registry of motor vehicles at Nakawa, is charged with falsifying registration numbers for a total of 22 vehicles, including eight Mercedes Benz and a BMW.
His subordinate, Asiimwe Odur, and others still at large are charged with seven counts of causing financial loss, seven counts of interfering with the customs computerised system and one count of abuse of office.
According to the charge sheet, Odur and his accomplices falsified data in the motor vehicle information computerised system.
They changed the details of lawfully registered vehicles, such as their make, chassis and engine numbers, replacing them with details of newly imported cars.
For example, the URA staff is accused of replacing the details of an Isuzu Elf, registration number UAH133K, with the details of a Toyota Hiace minibus.
Later, they altered the same file again twice, replacing them with the details of a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Corona.
The fraud, which is said to have occurred between May and June 2008, caused URA a loss of sh12m. It also means that four vehicles are in circulation with the number plate UAH 133K.
In the same period, Asiimwe and his co-accused are alleged to have falsified the data of a Futon Lovol, an agricultural tractor, with number plate UAJ 452T, and replaced them with particulars of a Mercedes Benz.
They did so knowing that “the Mercedes Benz had not paid customs duties and registration fees of sh19.4m,†the charge sheet says.
Similarly, the particulars of a Volvo, UAK 847L, were altered into those of a Nissan Datsun, thus evading sh9.5m in taxes. In another case, the particulars of a Ford Ranger with registration number UAK 956H were changed into those of a Mitsubishi Chariot, evading another sh9.2m in taxes.
They are alleged to have done this in connivance with Arnold Brooklyn Company, the company charged with issuing number plates but the company’s Indian directors have denied any involvement.
Through their lawyer, Deo Nkuzingoma, two of the directors, Harishi Bhuptani and his wife Smita, said they would travel back from India and appear in court on July 17 to defend themselves.
The three Arnold Brooklyn directors, a Kampala lawyer whose car had a duplicate number, and the two URA officers are among 10 people accused of fraudulently issuing car number plates and causing financial loss. The other four are clearing agents.
The fraud also involves forging bank payment forms for number plates, including personalised plates for expensive cars.
They face up to 15 years in jail upon conviction, as well as having to pay back the loss caused to the Government. In addition, the fraudulently registered motor vehicles could be forfeited to the State.
Sources said hundreds of vehicles in Uganda are now suspected to have duplicate number plates. Some are believed to be owned by senior government or security officials.
This, sources said, poses a security threat since criminals could take advantage of the confusion, while innocent people risk being accused of crimes committed or accidents caused by people driving cars with the same number plates.
The tax body may be left with no choice but to undertake a new re-validation of all the motor car registrations.
INVESTIGATIONS into the car registration scam have so far discovered over 340 falsified number plates country-wide, according to a source in URA.
The probe also revealed that up to four cars share the same number plate, and that millions have been lost in revenue for each fraudulent transaction.
The Police are still trying to establish the extent of the fraud before deciding on the next course of action.
According to documents submitted to court, most vehicles with fake number plates are luxury saloon cars, four-wheel drives and trucks.
URA official, Collin Muhumuza Kashumba, who headed the central registry of motor vehicles at Nakawa, is charged with falsifying registration numbers for a total of 22 vehicles, including eight Mercedes Benz and a BMW.
His subordinate, Asiimwe Odur, and others still at large are charged with seven counts of causing financial loss, seven counts of interfering with the customs computerised system and one count of abuse of office.
According to the charge sheet, Odur and his accomplices falsified data in the motor vehicle information computerised system.
They changed the details of lawfully registered vehicles, such as their make, chassis and engine numbers, replacing them with details of newly imported cars.
For example, the URA staff is accused of replacing the details of an Isuzu Elf, registration number UAH133K, with the details of a Toyota Hiace minibus.
Later, they altered the same file again twice, replacing them with the details of a Mercedes Benz and a Toyota Corona.
The fraud, which is said to have occurred between May and June 2008, caused URA a loss of sh12m. It also means that four vehicles are in circulation with the number plate UAH 133K.
In the same period, Asiimwe and his co-accused are alleged to have falsified the data of a Futon Lovol, an agricultural tractor, with number plate UAJ 452T, and replaced them with particulars of a Mercedes Benz.
They did so knowing that “the Mercedes Benz had not paid customs duties and registration fees of sh19.4m,†the charge sheet says.
Similarly, the particulars of a Volvo, UAK 847L, were altered into those of a Nissan Datsun, thus evading sh9.5m in taxes. In another case, the particulars of a Ford Ranger with registration number UAK 956H were changed into those of a Mitsubishi Chariot, evading another sh9.2m in taxes.
They are alleged to have done this in connivance with Arnold Brooklyn Company, the company charged with issuing number plates but the company’s Indian directors have denied any involvement.
Through their lawyer, Deo Nkuzingoma, two of the directors, Harishi Bhuptani and his wife Smita, said they would travel back from India and appear in court on July 17 to defend themselves.
The three Arnold Brooklyn directors, a Kampala lawyer whose car had a duplicate number, and the two URA officers are among 10 people accused of fraudulently issuing car number plates and causing financial loss. The other four are clearing agents.
The fraud also involves forging bank payment forms for number plates, including personalised plates for expensive cars.
They face up to 15 years in jail upon conviction, as well as having to pay back the loss caused to the Government. In addition, the fraudulently registered motor vehicles could be forfeited to the State.
Sources said hundreds of vehicles in Uganda are now suspected to have duplicate number plates. Some are believed to be owned by senior government or security officials.
This, sources said, poses a security threat since criminals could take advantage of the confusion, while innocent people risk being accused of crimes committed or accidents caused by people driving cars with the same number plates.
The tax body may be left with no choice but to undertake a new re-validation of all the motor car registrations.