By Micah Sali.
A top URA official has been suspended in an estimated Ugsh 10 B tax evasion scandal .
Francis Wodero who hails from Sironko district in Eastern Uganda has been suspended for alleged manipulation of the ledger balance for a top company referred to as Service and Computer Industries (U)limited.
The tax collector who is said to be the alleged mastermind of the scandal is expected to answer to the allegations in a fortnight before the Uganda Anti Corruption court.
He is also under probe for sudden explosion of affluence in a short span of time and will also be subjected to a life style audit by the government sleuths.
“A criminal case has been officially opened and the staff,agents and company should be appearing before the Anti Corruption court to answer the allegations raised against them,” said a top government official who sort anonymity.
URA spokesman Ibrahim Bbosa confirmed that “There are both internal and external investigations being conducted.We will provide all the necessary information when we have all the facts,”
Wodero was a top contender for the Secretary general’s position in Inzu ya Masaaba after the demise of the late Umukuuka II Bob Mushikori.
Our intimate sources aver that Wodera and the former chairman of Inzu ya Masaaba culture council Omar Njofu were the architects behind the legal battles against the coronation of Umukuuka III of Bamasaaba Jude Mike Mudoma that lasted for a period of 3 years from 2021.
The two were the pillars behind Amram Wagabialire ,a contestant for the Bamasaaba crown who still after the inauguration of Umukuuka III Jude Mike Mudoma last year still lays claim to the Inzu ya Masaaba crown.
Omar Njofu,a resident of Bungoma county in Kenya and a former chair of Inzu ya Masaaba culture council and a close ally of Wodero is allegedly facing land related fraud tussles in Kenya .
The two buddies have also been accused of creating leadership factions in Inzu ya Masaaba in Kenya and Uganda.
“They were the people who crafted stories against Umukuuka Mudoma claiming he don’t want Kenyan Bamasaaba in the cabinet,”said John Wetosi from Bumbo trading center in Uganda.
Umukuuka Mudoma has a cabinet that cuts accross the borders with members in both countries.
The members of the kings cabinet from Kenya are the Deputy Prime minister Dr Bifwoli Wakoli,Bungoma CECM for youth,sports,Gender and Culture Eng.Agnes Wachie,Bungoma Municipal board member Phillip Wanyonyi,Prof Bornventure Kerre,Rtd.Colonel Tom Wanambisi,former Bungoma county chief officer Benard Mureka and Bungoma county assembly MCA Metrine Nangila Wilson.
Efforts to reach Wodero on phone were futile as his phone had been switched off.
Ends/Micah.
