A businessman, John Lubega, has been sentenced to five months in prison after pleading guilty to charges of obtaining money by false pretense from a taxpayer. The verdict was delivered at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court by Principal Grade One Magistrate Christopher Opit on July 8, 2024.
Charges and Conviction
Lubega admitted to assuming a false character as a Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officer and deceiving Julius Kasaija into giving him 150,000 shillings. According to prosecutors Davis Thomas Lomuria and Samuel Oseku from URA, the incident occurred on July 1, 2024, in Kijaguzo village, Kakabara sub-county, Kyegegwa district.
| Key Points Discussed | Details |
|---|---|
| Offences | Obtaining money by false pretense |
| Incident Date | July 1, 2024 |
| Location | Kijaguzo village, Kakabara sub-county, Kyegegwa district |
| Sentence | Five months imprisonment |
Court Proceedings
During the court session, the prosecution emphasized the seriousness of Lubega’s actions, urging the court to impose a stringent sentence to deter similar offenses. They highlighted that such impersonation crimes are increasingly prevalent and damage the reputation of institutions like URA.
“Your honour, the offence of assuming the character of a revenue officer is becoming rampant and tarnishing the reputation of the institution. We pray for a stringent sentence, as this offence carries a maximum penalty,” stated Davis Thomas Lomuria.
In his defense, John Lubega pleaded for leniency, expressing remorse for his actions and assuring the court that he had learned from his mistake. He acknowledged the gravity of impersonating a URA officer and apologized for the deception.
Magistrate’s Ruling
Magistrate Christopher Opit acknowledged Lubega’s plea for forgiveness and noted that Lubega is a first-time offender who did not waste the court’s time. Despite this, he emphasized the need to deter such fraudulent activities.
“This court takes into consideration that the convict falsely represented himself as a tax officer and has asked for forgiveness. However, the offence is also rampant. The convict is sentenced to five months imprisonment. The convict has the right to appeal within 14 days,” Magistrate Opit stated.
