CUSTOMS BOSS IN $60,000 BRIBE STORM: URA displays cash allegedly used to bribe Geoffrey Ssozi Kawere, raising fresh questions over corruption and accountability within the tax authority.

The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has displayed $60,000 in cash allegedly used as a bribe in a case involving one of its senior customs officials stationed in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The money was displayed by URA Public and Corporate Affairs Manager Robert Kalumba as the tax authority confirmed that legal proceedings against Geoffrey Ssozi Kawere, Manager External Operations Customs in Dar es Salaam, are underway.

The development places a senior URA officer at the centre of an alleged corruption case involving a substantial amount of foreign currency and has raised fresh questions about integrity and accountability within the revenue collection agency.

Cash Displayed

During the display, Kalumba presented the $60,000 allegedly recovered in connection with the bribery case involving Kawere.

The cash was exhibited as part of the evidence in the ongoing matter, giving the public a glimpse of the financial stakes involved in the allegations against the URA official.

The authority said the money is allegedly linked to a bribe and that the case has proceeded to the legal process.

The display of the cash is likely to intensify scrutiny of the circumstances under which the money allegedly changed hands and the purpose for which it was reportedly offered.

Senior URA Official In Court Spotlight

Kawere serves as Manager External Operations Customs in Dar es Salaam, a position that places him within URA’s customs operations outside Uganda.

Customs officers play a critical role in facilitating cross-border trade, enforcing customs laws and protecting government revenue. Officials stationed at major regional trade points interact with importers, exporters, clearing agents and other stakeholders involved in international commerce.

The allegations against a manager in such a position therefore carry significant institutional implications.

URA confirmed that legal proceedings against Kawere are underway, meaning the allegations will now be subjected to the established judicial process. The authority has not indicated that the accused has been convicted of any offence.

As a matter of law, Kawere remains entitled to the presumption of innocence until a court determines otherwise.

Ura Signals Zero Tolerance

The case comes amid continued efforts by revenue authorities to strengthen internal controls and combat corruption among staff.

For URA, the allegations involving a senior customs manager present both a reputational challenge and an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of its internal accountability mechanisms.

The public display of the alleged bribe money sends a strong message that cases involving corruption within the institution can result in investigation and prosecution.

URA’s decision to publicly exhibit the cash also demonstrates the seriousness with which the authority is treating the allegations.

Corruption within revenue agencies can have consequences far beyond the individuals involved. Where customs officials are accused of accepting illegal payments, the conduct can undermine public confidence, distort legitimate trade and potentially lead to revenue losses.

Why Customs Officers Are Critical

Customs operations are central to Uganda’s tax administration because the country relies heavily on cross-border trade and imports.

Customs officials are responsible for enforcing regulations governing goods entering and leaving the country, assessing applicable duties and taxes, and helping prevent illegal trade.

Their decisions can therefore have substantial financial consequences for businesses and government.

An allegation involving $60,000 is particularly significant because of the size of the amount and the seniority of the official named in the case.

The proceedings will be expected to establish what the money was allegedly intended to secure, who offered it, who received it and whether the transaction amounted to a criminal offence under Ugandan law.

Legal Process Now Underway

URA’s confirmation that legal proceedings have commenced shifts the matter from an internal disciplinary issue into the formal justice system.

Investigators and prosecutors will be expected to present evidence before the relevant court, while the accused will have an opportunity to challenge the allegations and present his defence.

The displayed $60,000 could form part of the evidence relied upon by investigators, although the mere possession or display of cash does not by itself establish criminal liability.

The prosecution will have to prove the specific allegations against Kawere to the required legal standard.

A Test For URA’s Accountability

The case is likely to attract attention because of Kawere’s position within URA and the large amount of money allegedly involved.

The authority has repeatedly emphasised the importance of integrity in revenue collection, given the direct relationship between effective tax administration and the government’s ability to finance public services.

Any perception that customs officers can influence official decisions through private payments risks undermining that mission. By displaying the alleged bribe cash and confirming that legal proceedings are underway, URA has placed the case firmly in the public domain. The outcome will now depend on the evidence presented before court.

For URA, the case provides another test of its ability to police its own ranks while protecting the credibility of Uganda’s tax administration.

For Kawere, the legal process will determine whether the allegations against him are substantiated.

Until then, the $60,000 displayed by URA remains alleged evidence in an ongoing case, rather than proof of guilt.

Author Profile

Stephen Kasozi Muwambi: Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]