The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has arrested Frank Mugisha and George Muhumuza for defrauding a Congolese businessman, Masereka Musavuli, of UGX 36.88 million and USD 15,000.
The two are charged with obtaining money by false pretense, falsifying customs documents, and creating fake export entries.
Masereka says the men claimed they were selling Super Match cigarettes stored at URA’s Nakawa warehouse. He was shown sacks from a distance and photos on WhatsApp but was denied entry inside.
He paid money via bank and was instructed to buy packing materials and hire a truck, but the cigarettes were never delivered.
URA investigators confirmed that the cigarettes do not exist and the export entry was fake.
Ag. Manager Intelligence, Alfred Kyamanywa, warned: “We want to inform the public that Customs Enforcement is involved in so many operations across the country, and some of these operations involve cigarettes, contraband cigarettes, especially Super Match and Oris most recently.
But when we impound these cigarettes from all over the country, these cigarettes are disposed off in a manner that is prescribed by the law. In other words, we don’t sell cigarettes at URA Nakawa HQ,” Alfred stated.
URA Commissioner General, John R. Musinguzi, added:“Be wary of anybody out there who will come to you and tell you there are cigarettes at URA, report that person, either to the nearest police station or report that person to the nearest URA office. We are always available and ready to act on them like we have acted on these ones,” URA CG said.
“We want to use this as a deterrent measure, to warn anyone out there who thinks they can go and claim to anybody that you have this or that; it may not even be cigarettes and that Uganda Revenue Authority is selling.”
URA CG further argued that protecting the public against such characters, preserving the integrity of the institution and sending a strong message that you cannot do it. If you do it, then the law will take its course.
A case file (GEF 145/2025) has been opened for investigation.
