Clearing Agent fined USD 3000 for incurring UGX 53.4M tax loss
A Clearing Agent Abeine Edson Muhangi has been found guilty for his role in a missing container with a consignment of textiles under customs control which he diverted leading into loss of taxes worth Uganda Shillings 53.4 Millions.
The Container was on truck registration number KBH 233Q/ZCO177 and destined for Ken Frieght Uganda Ltd bond; but in January/2018 Muhangi intercepted it at Mombasa port and Malaba customs boarder in Tororo District; and without authority him and others still at large diverted it to an unknown destination.
Muhangi has spent 8months on remand at Luzira prison being tried before the Anticorruption court for the offence of moving, altering or interfering with goods under customs control.
Today presiding Grade One Magistrate Moses Nabende found Muhangi guilty, convicted him and sentenced him to pay a fine of 3000USDollars and also pay the outstanding due tax of 53mshs that was caused due to his interference.
Magistrate Nabende ruled that the court had to give Muhangi a punishment that would deter other would be offenders because of his fraudulent past conduct that led to the deregistration of the Complainant’s firm that helped him to clear these goods.
He received his sentence via video conferencing from Luzira prison.
This case was prosecuted by Uganda Revenue Authority Lawyer Tony Kalungi.