An accountant has been charged with using a fake Tax Identification Number (TIN) in a 3.8 billion shilling tax fraud case. Denis Maledhu, 32, appeared at the Nakasero-based Anti-Corruption Court on July 1, 2024, facing five counts of using a false TIN. Magistrate Grade One Esther Asiimwe presided over the hearing.
The charges, brought by legal officer Allan Nkoyoyo from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), allege that on June 6, 2022, in Namungona Zone II, Kampala, Maledhu used the TIN of Fahad Mubiru without consent to make value-added tax claims. He purportedly claimed to have sold goods worth 341 million shillings to various companies including Benbam Trading Company Limited, Katomi Kingdom Resort Limited, Contract Option Uganda Limited, and FZS Company.
In the second count, Maledhu is accused of using Mubiru’s TIN to claim sales of goods valued at 120 million shillings to Libra Uganda Limited, Norema Services Uganda Limited, Kimberly Business Solutions, and Lobrat Investment Limited.
Prosecutors allege that on August 10, 2022, Maledhu again used Mubiru’s TIN without permission, this time claiming to have sold goods worth 921 million shillings to multiple companies. These companies include Lobrat Investment Limited, Braveheart Consortium Limited, Moonlight Building Limited, The Grand Global Hotel Limited, MJ Suppliers and Contractors Limited, FZS Company Limited, Selective Investment Limited, Norema Service Uganda, MMR Technologies Limited, and Horsehead Printery Limited.
In another instance, Maledhu allegedly used Mubiru’s TIN to claim sales worth 2.1 billion shillings to companies such as TJ Global Hotel in Kasese District, FZS Company Limited, Weremito Tropical Enterprises Limited, Multex, Liviton Investment Limited, Ntake Bakery and Company Limited, Tanga Tours Limited, Century Spectrum, The Grand Global Hotel Limited, Moonlight Building Limited, Norema Service Uganda, MMR Technologies Limited, Mult Shepherd Business Services Limited, and Blue Bubble Products Limited.
Additionally, Maledhu is accused of using Mubiru’s TIN to falsely claim sales of goods worth 301 million shillings to Lobrat Investment Limited, Multex Investment Limited, Blue Bubble Products Limited, Silver Star Investment Limited, and Baka Synergies Limited. Maledhu has denied all charges.
Prosecutor Nkoyoyo informed the court that investigations are ongoing and requested another date to update the court on the status of inquiries. Maledhu was remanded until July 15, 2024, due to his failure to present substantial sureties for his bail application.
The court also issued criminal summons for Maledhu’s co-accused, Aaron Izimba, to appear on July 15, 2024, to answer the charges.
