A man allegedly masquerading as top officials of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has been apprehended in a joint operation by security agencies and URA intelligence teams. The suspect, Thomas Odeke, is accused of repeatedly posing as some of the highest-ranking tax officials in a scheme that targeted ordinary citizens.
Investigators say Odeke frequently claimed to be URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi. In addition, he is suspected of impersonating the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes, the Commissioner of Customs, and several other senior URA officers. These false identities allowed him to gain credibility and access to unsuspecting members of the public.
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URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs, Robert Kalumba, explained that the suspect operated across different areas, presenting himself as a legitimate official. Authorities believe his deception successfully misled numerous people, raising serious concerns about public trust and security.
The arrest followed a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public. Acting on the information, security personnel and URA intelligence officers traced Odeke to a vehicle with registration number UA541DM, ultimately detaining him without incident.
Officials described the arrest as a major victory in the fight against fraudsters who exploit government positions for personal gain. Authorities also warned that such cases illustrate the sophisticated methods criminals use to manipulate citizens and evade detection.
Odeke is currently in police custody while investigations continue. Authorities are working to determine the full extent of his activities, including identifying potential victims and uncovering whether he operated with accomplices.
Following the incident, URA has urged taxpayers to remain alert and report suspicious individuals claiming to be officials through the toll-free line 0800257700. Kalumba stressed that public vigilance is critical to stopping fraudsters before they can cause harm.
The tax authority also cautioned against making payments via personal phone numbers or unofficial channels. URA reiterated that all tax transactions must go through authorized banking institutions or official payment systems, emphasizing that adherence to proper procedures is the most effective protection against scams.
