Authorities have arrested two men accused of impersonating officials from the Uganda Revenue Authority in an alleged fraudulent operation targeting traders and small businesses in Kayunga District. The suspects, identified as Kakooza Isa and Mafabi Achillis, were reportedly masquerading as URA officers while carrying suspicious tax documents believed to have been used to deceive unsuspecting residents.
The two suspects were intercepted in Kitimbwa Town Council along Beale Road while traveling in a Toyota Mark X registration number UAU 678U. Security officials reportedly launched the operation after receiving complaints from traders who had become alarmed by individuals demanding tax compliance using documents that appeared questionable despite carrying URA branding.
According to District Internal Security Officer John Ssewanyana, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly issuing fake Tax Identification Numbers and conducting unauthorized presumptive tax assessments. Authorities believe the operation was carefully coordinated to resemble genuine URA enforcement activities in order to gain the trust of business owners.
During the arrest, security personnel recovered multiple documents bearing URA letterheads together with assessment forms resembling those used in legitimate tax operations. Investigators fear that several traders may already have been conned before the suspects were captured by authorities.
Confirming the arrests, Robert Kalumba said the suspects had been handed over to police for further investigations. He warned that incidents involving criminals impersonating URA officials are becoming increasingly common and continue to threaten both public trust and lawful revenue collection efforts.
Kalumba noted that URA has strengthened its collaboration with security agencies to crack down on fraudsters involved in impersonation, smuggling, and corruption-related activities. He stressed that criminals abusing the authority’s identity are causing financial losses and confusion among members of the business community.
He further referred to a recent incident in Kamuli where suspected fake URA operatives reportedly stopped a truck while pretending to conduct an enforcement exercise. The driver became suspicious and contacted a nearby URA office after diverting to a petrol station, only to discover that no official operation had been authorized in the area. The suspects reportedly escaped before authorities arrived.
URA is now urging the public to stay alert and verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent the tax authority before responding to inspections, tax demands, or payment requests. Officials say increased vigilance from the public will play a major role in stopping fraudsters who continue exploiting innocent citizens using fake government authority.
