Kampala — City businessman Michael Ezra Mulyoowa would not have been the most wanted man by Uganda Revenue Authority had he not issued the agency a dishonoured cheque worth $500,000 (about Shs1.1 billion). According to sources within URA, Ezra attempted to evade paying taxes three times between 2003 and 2008 before he was held and consequently agreed to clear the unpaid taxes.

Unpaid taxes

"After discovering that he did not pay his taxes in 2003, we decided to audit him and he agreed to pay us but he never did because his cheque was dishonoured," the source, who preferred anonymity because he is not the official spokesperson of URA, said.

In an interview with Ms Sarah Banage, the URA spokesperson, Ezra's tax liability falls under what she described as individual income tax, levied on individuals of Ezra status and not a corporation. When asked on which particular transaction this tax was imposed, she declined to comment, saying the organisation does not discuss its client's tax matters with a third party.

Earlier, Ezra said in a press conference he called in Kampala that he is aware about the matter but it was not news anymore. He said he is committed to clearing his taxes but that he will do so after ascertaining that he is solely responsible over the matter. However, it has emerged that Ezra has sneaked out of the country while other reports indicate that police is hunting for him for issuing bounced cheques to two businessmen.

Out of the country

URA recently asked the immigration office to block Ezra from travelling abroad, but the businessman last week said the money he will use to clear his debts is outside the country.