The national tax body (URA), together with the security agency Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), have apprehended an army deserter known as David Okurut for impersonation as URA office and extorting money from unsuspecting victims in larger parts of Eastern Uganda.
On his 41st day in the trade of fleecing the public, Okurut was saved from an agitated crowd that had gathered and was about to lynch him. He had stopped a trader from whom he was going to extort money. Upon being asked to identify himself, Okurut said he was URA staff but the trader did not believe him, and an alarm followed alerting the community to gather around him. Thereafter, the area police and URA were informed and Okurut was immediately arrested.
UPDF later uncovered that Okurut has been on their wanted list for desertion; and yet for larger parts of his extortion missions he was wearing full UPDF uniform.
URA recently launched an Enforcement Strategy that adopts 3 E’s of Engage, Educate and Enforce, which largely informs our collaborative efforts in dealing with traders during enforcement and also defines operational principles for our officers, one of which requires a valid identity card as a must have for any officer on duty. The strategy further defines the business communities’ obligations to pay tax that help develop the country.
Okurut went against all these principles, in addition to being on the run from the army. The tax body appreciated the public for being vigilant by bringing the case to their attention quickly before further damage was done to soil the collective efforts of revenue mobilisation and the journey to delivering Uganda’s economic stand.
The Nakawa based Authority is known for its strict and zero tolerance policy to corruption, with a steadfast pledge to serving with the highest levels of Patriotism, Integrity and Professionalism. It is committed to mobilizing revenue for national development in an efficient and transparent manner.
The public is therefore implored to report any suspicious people with unscrupulous tactics, so that they are not caught off guard by impersonators on their tollfree number 0800117000, a statement from it social side stated.
