The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has fired two senior managers after internal disciplinary proceedings. Customs Commissioner Hajji Asadu Kisitu Kigozi and James Abola, assistant commissioner for integrity, compliance and ethics, were dismissed effective Friday, New Vision reported. Robert Kalumba, URA's assistant commissioner for public and corporate affairs, confirmed the sackings to Nile Post. He said that the two commissioners had been dismissed over corruption-related issues.
According to Nile Post, Kisitu was accused of soliciting a Shs309 million bribe from clearing agent Timothy Ssegane in 2025. He was also accused of hiding compliance information and the real tax liability of Master Grain Milling Ltd that year. Nile Post reported that this caused significant revenue loss to the government.
The charges went further. In a case spanning 2025 and 2026, Kisitu allegedly allowed different tax rates on similar products for personal gain. The findings cited businessman James Matovu Galusanja. He allegedly paid Shs19 million in taxes, while other taxpayers paid Shs90 million for similar goods. In 2026, Kisitu was accused of ordering the clearance of a Rolls-Royce without proper valuation or payment of taxes. URA found him guilty of corruption, fraud and other offences, Nile Post said.
Abola's case centred on internal fraud investigations. In 2024, he was asked to investigate an alleged PRN fraud involving Godfrey Omony and Marvin Kayima. The findings say he neglected the probe. In 2025, he allegedly altered an investigation report on the same fraud, although he was not part of the reinvestigation team. URA found him guilty of gross negligence and of aiding and abetting offences. Nile Post noted that reports of his dismissal after a URA Board hearing first emerged in September.
The sackings come days after a meeting between traders and Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki collapsed. Traders walked out after being told they could not enter the venue with their mobile phones. Footage of the confrontation spread on social media. URA defended the security measures, saying intelligence showed some people planned to disrupt the meeting and heckle the Commissioner General.