Dickson Kateshumbwa Speaks Out: I resigned on my own will; I was not forced out

Dicksons Collins Kateshumbwa the indefatigable former Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner in the Domestic Taxes, department has spoken out about his resignation, dismissing reports that he was fired or forced to resign.

“I resigned on my will. My contract was still running,” he told this reporter via WhatsApp.

He however declined to answer why he resigned. We tried to probe further, asking him, whether he had fallen out with the new Commissioner General, Musinguzi John Rujoki, but he did not answer back.

But yesterday, writing on Twitter, Kateshumbwa, who at one time was believed to be the Commissioner-General in-waiting after Doris Akol’s second and last term, said that he had decided to take an early exit.

“I have decided to take early exit from URA after 14 years of service,” he twitted, adding: “I am proud of the all-round leadership service in Tax and Customs. 18 reforms in Customs in 5 yrs, no regrets.”

Coincidentally Kateshumbwa’s tenure as head of the World Customs Organization Council, a role he got elected to in June last year also ends in June this year.

“My tenure as WCO Council Chair ends in June hence no seeking re-election,” he further tweeted.

Writing on Facebook, Doris Akol, the former URA Commissioner General who was dropped on March 29th and was a boss and colleague of Kateshumbwa described him as an exceptional leader.

“Legendary is the word. Thank you Katesh. Transformational leader!” wrote Doris Akol.

A statement released by the Authority on May 30th 2020 said that on 28th May, 2020, the URA Board of Directors sat and made recommendations concerning the re-organization and Management of URA.

Following the recommendations, the next day, on May 29th 2020, Kateshumbwa, along with the Commissioner Tax Investigations, Henry Martin Saka and the Assistant Commissioner, Large Taxpayer Office, Silajji Kanyesigye as well as Samuel Kahima had chosen to resign and that the board had accepted their resignations.

Following the resignations, Mukiibi Patrick has been transferred from the position of Commissioner Corporate Services to the position of Commissioner Domestic Taxes.

Mathew Mugabi previously, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Tax Investigations has been appointed as Acting Commissioner Tax Investigations. James Kizza, formerly the Assistant Commissioner Information Technology has been appointed as Acting Commissioner Corporate Services. John Tinka Katungwesi will be Acting Assistant Commissioner Large Taxpayers Office.

Mrs. Patience T. Rubagumya (Commissioner Legal Services and Board Affairs); Herbert Rusoke (Commissioner Internal Audit and Compliance) and Abel Kagumire (Acting Commissioner Customs) retained their jobs.