URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has explained circumstances under which a group of undisciplined motorcyclists attacked the Authority’s offices in Koboko Municipality.
This followed an earlier motor accident in Oraba, where one of the bodaboda cyclists, carrying 16 jerry cans of suspected smuggled fuel, had an accident as he tried to flee from our enforcement team.
The smuggler lost control of his bike and swerved off the road into a trench, trying to escape. Fellow motorists gathered into a mob and tried to attack the customs office in the area. However, the security team at Oraba Office was alert, and the protesters feared approaching them.
Instead, the protesters turned their rage onto the Koboko Domestic Taxes office that was not well guarded and destroyed assorted office equipment. Fortunately, a backup force from UPDF arrived quickly, and the situation was contained before the rioters could set the place ablaze.
Unfortunately, one person identified as Badru Ajiga died during the scuffle between the rioters and security agencies.
According to URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi, four other people were injured, including Abrahaman Ayub, a journalist, with Arua One FM, who was beaten by the mob and his camera destroyed for trying to record their riotous activities.
“URA commiserates with the family of the deceased and prays for the full recovery of the injured,” Musinguzi said, condemning acts of violence against “our officers, members of the public and property.”
He called on the general public to desist and shun illegal businesses, especially smuggling, as they undermine the development of “our country.”
