{UAH} Mbabazi linked to URA-seized 200 motorcycles -panic in NRM
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Mbabazi linked to URA-seized 200 motorcycles
Written by Sulaiman Kakaire
Amama Mbabazi More than 200 motorcycles seized by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in Kampala last week have been linked to presidential hopeful Amama Mbabazi.
URA impounded the 202 Sanyo motorcycles belonging to one Joseph Ssemango, a Kampala businessman, on August 28 for alleged tax evasion. However, Ssemango told The Observer that his motorcycles were impounded because some of the state's intelligence operatives believe they were destined for the former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi's campaign effort.
"Before the motorcycles were impounded... on Thursday [August 27] between 12:00pm and 3:00pm, I received several phone calls from unknown numbers asking me whether I was planning to sell motorcycles to Mbabazi," Ssemango told The Observer in an interview on August 28.
Ssemango said his callers warned him against selling the motorcycles to the former NRM secretary general who has declared intentions to stand for president as an independent candidate. According to Ssemango, on the same day, August 27, at around 8pm, about 50 security and URA officials surrounded his business premises in Nateete, a Kampala suburb.
"These people asked me the same things they were asking on phone and I told them I don't know what they were talking about. I have not contacted or entered into any arrangement of selling motorcycles to Mbabazi," he said.
The next day, August 28, at around 5pm, URA officials from the enforcement department led by James Tumwesigye went to Ssemango's business premises at Nateete and took away at least 164 motorcycles. Thirty-eight more motorcycles were taken from Bwaise, another of Ssemango's outlets.
Interviewed on August 29, Sarah Banage, URA's assistant commissioner for public & corporate affairs management, said the impounding of the motorcycles had nothing to do with politics.
"When you owe us money, we come for it; we have nothing to do with politics," she said.
Ssemango has since held meetings with URA officials but his goods are yet to be released. He said he has been advised to appeal to President Museveni but adds that he has no idea how to proceed on this front.
BACKGROUND
We have learnt that Ssemango's problems with URA stem from an old dispute with another businessman. In 2014, Ssemango says, one Benon Kasenene imported more than 1,000 motorcycles. Through a memorandum of understanding dated December 15, 2014, Benon Kasenene Solutions (BK) Ltd, owners of 990 Sanyo motorcycles then awaiting tax clearance at URA offices in Nakawa, agreed to sell the goods to Ssemango.
According to the said MoU, the 990 motorcycles were sold at a cost of Shs 684,540,000 exclusive of taxes. At the time of signing the agreement, Kasenene reportedly told Ssemango that the importation documents for the said motorcycles were held by one Charles Mugabo as security for a loan of Shs 540m extended by Mugabo to Kasenene. The money was supposed to be paid back not later than January 2015.
It was agreed that Ssemango would pay Mugabo Shs 46.8m to release the importation documents for two containers holding 334 motorcycles. Ssemango was supposed to sell the motorcycles and then pay the balance of Shs 494m not later than January 31, 2015. Upon effecting the said payment, Mugabo would release all the remaining documents to enable Ssemango to clear the entire motorcycle consignment.
Apparently, when Ssemango proceeded to pay the agreed sum to Charles Mugabo, it appeared that Kasenene had sold 820 motorcycles to the latter contrary to the agreement.
"His undertaking under the agreement was a misrepresentation," Ssemango said.
In May this year, Ssemango sued Kasenene for breach of agreement. Represented by Lukwago & Co Advocates, the plaintiff seeks to recover Shs 50m he paid to Kasenene as well as brokerage fees paid to Moses Asiimwe, Juma Balunywa and Samuel Wamala. On June 1, Kasenene filed a defence, through his lawyers, Balondemu, Candia and Wandera Advocates, denying the said agreement.
ENTER MBABAZI
Speaking to The Observer on Friday, Asiimwe, who witnessed the agreement between Ssemango and Kasenene, said that Ssemango's woos emanate from his misunderstanding with Kasenene.
"I think that is how this has ended up here. It seems Kasenene took these matters to another level," Asiimwe said.
Wamala, another witness to the contract, added: "This is purely a personal disagreement."
According to Asiimwe, while they were looking for buyers, they told some NRM people that Mbabazi was interested in the motorcycles so as to entice them to buy.
"We told them that as camouflage to put NRM people under pressure," he said. "But honestly we have never contacted Mbabazi."
skakaire@observer.ug
Comments
Soeverythingg must be sorted by m7
"But honestly we have never contacted Mbabazi."
Nuff said
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