A former Uganda Revenue Authority tax officer, Dennis Tumusiime has been remanded to Luzira prison over allegations of causithe ng government a financial loss of over Shs 9 billion.

Tumusiime, 43, was remanded by the Anti Corruption court on Wednesday after being charged with six counts of abuse of office and causing financial loss.

The court heard that as URA tax officer between 2019 and 2021, Tumusiime adjusted and reduced the tax of various companies and individuals without justification - well knowing that his actions would cause government a financial loss. Tumusiime reportedly adjusted the ledgers of Fast Forwarding and Shipping Company Limited from Shs 648,729 to zero.

The prosecution also contends that between January and December 2020, Tumusiime reduced the tax liability worth Shs 1.1 billion for African Capacity Development and Research Institute, Bageine and Company, Bageine and Company Limited, Brandguard Limited, Flavish Events Limited, J and E Civil Engineering Works Limited, Krystal Concepts Limited, Mass Projects Uganda Limited, Mr Shem Bageine Bajura, Mukasa Couriers Limited, Prime Machinery Limited, Summy Trading International Company Limited, Swisa Enterprises Limited and Twincom Technologies Limited.

It is also alleged that between January and December 2021, Tumusiime reduced tax worth Shs 4.5 billion from goods of Amiancy Investments Company Limited, Arcano Investments Limited, Grand Victoria Limited, Mr Kalungi Godfrey, Mr Robert Blick Migadde, Power Consults Engineering Limited, Prestige Electronics and Computers Limited, Rizwan Trading (U) Limited, Sarjan Construction Uganda Limited, Smartec Electronics Limited and  Taste Buds Limited. 

During the same time, Tumusiime is also accused of reducing the tax liabilities of Smartwatch Solutions Limited, Tumbine Enterprises Limited, Mr Abas Kalule, Grand Victoria Limited worth Shs 3.7 billion. According to the prosecution led by Stuart Ahabwe,  the actions of Tumusiime were arbitrary to the interests of his employer, Uganda Revenue Authority. Tumusiime who was being represented by lawyer Diana Kasabiiti pleaded not guilty and has been remanded until April 13 as inquiries continue. - URN/The Observer

LAGOS  – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that African carriers suffered cumulative losses of $3.5 billion for 2020-2022.

The association also estimated further losses of $213 million in 2023 alone.

These were contained in a statement by IATA to journalists on Monday.

However, in a bid to strengthen aviation’s contribution to Africa’s economic, social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers, IATA said it was launching ‘Focus Africa.’

According to IATA, this initiative would align private and public stakeholders to deliver measurable progress in six areas.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General, in the statement said that Africa accounted for 18 per cent of the global population, but just 2.1 per cent of air transport activities, which include cargo and passenger.

He explained that it was necessary to close the gap so that Africa could benefit from the connectivity, jobs and growth that aviation enables, stressing that was what “Focus Africa is all about.” 

Infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages affect the customer experience and are all contributory factors to African airlines’ viability and sustainability, IATA said. 

IATA noted that sustainably connecting the African continent internally and to global markets with air transport was critical for bringing people together and creating economic and social development opportunities.

It maintained that this would also support the realisation of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) for Africa of lifting 50 million people out of poverty by 2030.

In particular, trade and tourism rely on aviation and have immense unrealised potential to create jobs, alleviate poverty, and generate prosperity across the continent. By Olusegun Koiki, Independent

Tuesday, April 4, 2023: The Ethiopian Joint Security Intelligence Task Force announced that it has detained leaders of a covert terror group that was planning to target senior government officials in several cities across the country.

The group intended to target government officials in Addis Abeba, Bahirdar, Adama, and Dire Dawa, according to the state-owned Fana Broadcasting Corporate, in order to incite a nationwide conflict and capture state power.

The group which includes individuals with backgrounds in academia, media owners, and activists has been attempting to mobilize support in the Amhara region by claiming that they are facing oppression, the state media reported.

Those detained include Professor Maeregu Biyabeyn, Assistant Professor Sisay Awgachew, Dr. Wendesen Assefa, Dr. Meseret, Worku Tesfaye W. Maryam, Tesfaye Yehualashet Fasil, Solomon Lemeneh Ketema, and Menbere.

According to the report by the state media, the group has been organizing in all parts of the Amhara region as well as among Amharas living in other regions to achieve this goal.

The joint task force stated that the coordinated capture of other suspects on the run is still ongoing and that it will continue to provide the public with up-to-date information about the case. Curate Oromia