A man accused of boldly posing as some of Uganda Revenue Authority’s most powerful officials has been arrested following a coordinated operation involving security agencies and URA intelligence officers. The suspect, identified as Thomas Odeke, allegedly spent months presenting himself as a senior figure within the tax authority while deceiving unsuspecting members of the public.
Authorities say Odeke frequently claimed to be URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi, using the false identity to gain trust and credibility. Investigators further revealed that he is also suspected of impersonating other senior officials, including the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, the Commissioner of Customs, and several tax officers attached to the authority.
According to URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs Robert Kalumba, the suspect allegedly moved through different locations while pretending to hold influential positions within the organization. His actions reportedly convinced many people that he was a genuine URA representative, allowing him to interact freely with members of the public.
The breakthrough came after a concerned citizen alerted authorities about the suspect’s activities. Acting on the tip-off, security personnel teamed up with URA intelligence officers and launched a tracking operation that eventually led them to Odeke while he was driving a vehicle registered as UA541DM.
His arrest has been hailed as a significant victory in the fight against fraud and impersonation. Officials believe the case exposes the growing tactics used by criminals who exploit the identities of government leaders and institutions to mislead citizens for personal gain.
Following the operation, Odeke was taken into police custody, where he remains as investigations continue. Detectives are now working to establish the full scope of the alleged scheme, including identifying potential victims and determining whether other individuals may have been involved.
In the wake of the arrest, URA has renewed its call for vigilance among taxpayers and the general public. Kalumba urged citizens to report anyone suspiciously claiming to represent the authority through the toll-free hotline 0800257700, stressing that public cooperation remains critical in exposing fraudsters.
URA also reminded taxpayers never to send money through personal phone numbers or unofficial payment channels. The authority emphasized that all tax-related transactions should be conducted through approved banking institutions and authorized payment systems, warning that strict adherence to official procedures is the safest defense against scams and financial loss.
