A female customs officer at the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has been recognized for exceptional integrity after rejecting a bribe of Shs 300 million and uncovering a concealed shipment of cash amounting to $10 million (about Shs 37 billion).
The officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was conducting routine verification on a container declared to contain ordinary household items such as forks and spoons.
According to information obtained, a clearing agent repeatedly pressured her to hasten the process, arguing that the verification exercise delays their business operations.
However, she stood her ground and proceeded with a meticulous inspection.
Her persistence led to a startling discovery of several boxes filled with large sums of cash hidden among the declared goods.
Upon uncovering the money, she was reportedly offered a bribe of Shs 100 million to ignore the find.
When she declined, the amount was increased to shs 300 million, but she firmly rejected the offer and escalated the matter to senior authorities.
Robert Kalumba, the URA spokesperson, confirmed the incident, revealing that the recovered money has since been handed over to the Bank of Uganda, while the suspected owner a Ugandan returnee from Turkey has been arrested as investigations continue.
Kalumba also addressed the ongoing friction between URA enforcement teams and some clearing agents, noting that whereas agents often complain that thorough verification slows down their work, such resistance is frequently a red flag.
He emphasized that many of those opposing strict verification measures are often attempting to conceal undeclared or illegal items, underscoring the importance of vigilance in customs operations.
URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki commended the officer for her professionalism and incorruptibility, describing her actions as a true reflection of the values the authority seeks to uphold.
“She demonstrated the highest level of integrity and commitment to duty. This is the kind of conduct we expect from all our officers,” Kalumba quoted Rujoki as having said while awarding her a certificate of recognition.
The incident highlights URA’s intensified efforts to curb smuggling and enforce compliance, even in the face of mounting pressure from some industry players resistant to stringent verification processes.
