The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has sent 32 senior customs officers on forced annual leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation into alleged irregularities in the clearance of certain consignments.
The directive, contained in a memo dated August 9, 2025 from the Acting Commissioner Customs, targets officers at key border points and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) including Malaba, Lwakhakha, Cyanika Customs, Lexus ICD, Good Brothers ICD, Maina ICD, Transtar ICD, Kenfreight ICD, Masstra ICD, and Damco ICD.
The affected officers include long-serving staff such as Humphrey Agaba, Dennis Maliamungu, Faith Nimusiima, Patricia Musiitwa, Showali Kigozi, Douglas Kaboyo, Major Cherotwo Zaina, Sarah Mirembe, Andrew Bonny Ogwal, Patrick Nakitwijuka, Brenda Natukunda, Hope Cherop, Ronald Mugumya, Catherine Yvonne Zalwango, John Kivimha, Lucy Ikomu, Kenneth Aruho, Nuliat Natukunda, Gerald Mugenyi, Peter Kaahwa, Constance Ndyanabo, Roselyn Mwogeza, Anittah Mukundane, Caleb Kamara, Patience Gloria Achall, Joan Byekwaso Tezikya, and Gerald Mugenyi.
Some have served URA for over 30 years, while others have put in 15 to 20 years of continuous service. Insiders say the sudden nature of the directive has left many feeling humiliated and discarded.
“This is not just about taking leave. This is the beginning of the end for most of us. After decades of service, this is how we are treated as if we are disposable,” one senior officer said on condition of anonymity.
The memo followed a report from Customs Enforcement on “reworks” performed on consignments that had already been processed and released. AC-ICE sanctioned a full investigation, leading to the suspension of the officers from active duty while inquiries proceed.
For some officers like Showali Kigozi and Brenda Natukunda, the orders affect multiple entries they handled across different ICDs. Others like Ronald Mugumya and Catherine Yvonne Zalwango have been linked to single high-value consignments declared in June and July 2025, some worth over shs100 million in taxes.
Privately, the officers accuse the Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki of acting harshly and ignoring their long record of diligence.
“Many of us joined URA in the 1990s and have worked through different regimes of leadership, always meeting our targets. Now, without a single query letter or formal hearing, we are sent home like criminals,” another officer lamented.
Within URA circles, “leave pending investigation” is widely seen as a precursor to termination or early retirement, especially in cases where the list of affected staff is large and the matter involves high-value tax decisions.
The Commissioner General has yet to make a public statement, leaving the 32 officers in limbo, unsure whether they will ever return to their desks or quietly be pushed out.
Meanwhile, the development has sent shockwaves through the Authority, with many employees fearing they could be next in line.
