Police in Old Kampala have arrested one suspect for impersonating as Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official and defrauding Shs 80 million.
The arrest follows a case that was reported at Old Kampala police station on 12/9/2019, by one Kyanda Godfrey 42 years, a Businessman and a resident of Nansana West I Zone, Nansana Municipality, Wakiso district, alleging that he had been defrauded of his Shs 80 million by purported Assistant Commissioner Customs at URA one Nkurunziza Boaz and alleged Procurement Officer Edmond Munanura.
Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson says Kyanda alleged that the crime was committed during the month of August 2019 at Owino Market.
The Complainant told police, that during the month of June 2019, URA advertised for auctioning of motor vehicles and one Mugisha Tonny asked him to participate in the said auction.
The said Mugisha Tonny told him that he was in touch with Assistant Commissioner Customs, sitting at level six URA Tower, Nakawa and that the Commissioner would handle the process.
The victim was then asked by the purported Commissioner to select the vehicles he was interested in according to the advert.
He selected nine (9) vehicles. He and his friend met the alleged Commissioner at Sheraton hotel to discuss the deal.
The 'Commissioner' asked for Shs 96 million of which it included money for number plates’ registration, clearing with URA and considerations.
Since Mugisha Tonny is the one who connected the 'commissioner' to Kyanda, the alleged URA officer asked the complainant to pass all the money through Mugisha Tonny to deliver it to him at his office.
The complainant then gave Shs 80 million to Mugisha Tonny to deliver it to 'assistant Commissioner' Nkurunziza Boaz and upon receipt of the same, he would call the complainant and confirm he received the money.
However, despite the alleged 'Commissioner' receiving the money and promising to deliver the nine vehicles to the complainant in one week, it did not happen. The complaint did not receive even a single car and instead they all switched off their mobile phones.
Upon registering the complaint, Old Kampala Police Station investigated the case and established from the former Commissioner Customs, Mr. Kateshumbwa Dicksons who said that the Authority has never employed Nkurunziza Boaz as Assistant Commissioner Customs or Edmond Munanura as Procurement officer at the Authority, hence described them as impersonators and fraudsters.
Edmond Munanura was arrested, his statement was taken and stated that Nkurunziza Boaz and Mugisha Tonny are the ones who defrauded the complainant. Mugisha was later charged with fraud at LDC Court on 14/10/2019.
On 4/6/2020, through Intelligence led operation, Nkurunziza Boaz alias Mbaiine Samson was arrested from URA Licensing section Nakawa and taken to Old Kampala Police Station.
Nkurunziza Boaz has been identified by many that he is known criminal who as committed fraud related cases in Stations like Jinja Road, Kira Road and others, that he would defrauded people impersonating to be URA staff.
“We appeal to anyone, whom these thugs have defrauded to go to the nearest Police Station or to come to Old Kampala Police Station and register a case against these criminals” Onyango said.
