After re-examining Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Reg. No. UBJ 667F and confirming that it is indeed armored, Uganda Revenue Authority imposed a tax of UGX337 million on the vehivle.
In an April 22, 2021 letter to his lawyers Wameli and Company Advocates, who have since acknowledged receipt, Abel Kagumire, Commissioner Customs Department, states: “Following the re-examination of your clients’ motor vehicle, Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Reg. No. UBJ 667F; it was confirmed that the unit was armored. The details of Ballistic protection were confirmed as 90 mm for the window upper plate glass and 6 mm for the bottom Hull.”
He added that clearing the vehicle of 12 February 2021 was done with some falsehoods since it was declared as a normal vehicle whereas not.
“It was also established that the declaration made vide Customs reference UGCWHC 54 of 12 February 2021 did bare false hoods of clearing it as a normal vehicle yet it was armored contrary to Sections 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.”
After re-valuing the vehicle, Kagumire says the taxman has imposed a tax payable of UGX 337,698,776.25/= after appraising a Customs value of $166,700, an equivalent of UGX 601,367,249.
“Customs has re-valued the motor vehicle using alternative methods of valuation and appraised a Customs value of $ 166,700/- (United States Dollars One hundred sixty six thousand only); with tax payable of UGX 337,698,776.25/= (Uganda Shillings Three hundred thirty seven million six hundred ninety eight thousand seven hundred seventy six only)
“Please advise your client to liaise with the office of the Assistant Commissioner
Bob Okodi, Amref Health Africa Uganda CFO, On Purpose-Driven Finance and Measuring Impact in Lives, Not MarginsEnforcement who by copy hereof is requested to facilitate payment of due taxes and release of your client’s vehicle accordingly,” Kagumire concludes.
Early this month, Court gave URA a go ahead to reassess Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s car after he lost the bid to block the taxman from recalling his car.
Bobi Wine’s application was dismissed on April 6 by the Deputy Head of High Court Civil Division Judge Emmanuel Baguma on grounds that he (Bobi Wine) failed to adduce evidence to show that the recalling of the vehicle for re-verification will cause him an irreparable injury which cannot be compensated by an award of damages.
Bobi Wine had, through his lawyers of Wameli and Company Advocates, petitioned the High Court seeking a temporary injunction restraining URA and its agents from taking his vehicle in question Land Cruiser V8 Registration number UBJ 667F for a re-verification exercise.
According to URA, by the time the vehicle was cleared, it was never brought to their attention that it was armoured and therefore it passed through the system as an ordinary car having been under-valued at UGX 157 Million.
