After taking over the tax evasion case against 13 top directors of MTN Uganda, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has now referred the case to police for further investigation.

MTN Uganda's former Logistics Officer, Naphtali Were, through his lawyers, Web Advocates and Solicitors sued MTN directors, among other counts, for making false or incorrect declarations of imported goods worth Shs 5bn, over seven years. The directors sued include MTN Uganda chairman, Charles Mbire, chief executive officer Mazen Mroue and board members Khumo Sehoole and Mozipho January Dardil.

Others are Corporation Secretary Anthony Mutyaba Katamba, Chief Finance Officer Mike Blackburn, his predecessor Nigel Williams, former Procurement Manager Mervin Immelman and his replacement, Francis Terffoute. The DPP successfully applied to take over the case from a private prosecutor while it was before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Sylvia Nabaggala, last month.

Impeccable police sources tell The Observer that some of the Uganda-based directors are expected at the Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate headquarters in Kibuli tomorrow. Arrangements are also underway to summon those based in South Africa.

The 13 directors and the telecom company are represented by lawyers, Joseph Matsiko and Bruce Musinguzi of Kampala Associated Advocates. The case will come up for mention before the Chief Magistrates' court on March 13, 2013.