Former Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine has been ordered to pay the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Ush337 million (Ksh10 million) after he acquired a bulletproof car from a Kenyan businessman.
Bobi Wine bought the vehicle during the capaigns that led up to Uganda's general election when h claimed his life was in danger.
In a letter to the former Presidential hopeful, URA stated that the adjustments were not mentioned during the initial inspection.
File image of Ugandan Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine's Armoured Car. |Photo| Courtesy|
Read More
The vehicle had been valued at Ksh4.7 million but a new valuation by URA placed it at $166,700 (Ksh18 million).
"Please advise your client (Bobi) to liaise with the office of the Assistant Commissioner Enforcement who by copy hereof, is requested to facilitate payment of due taxes and release of your client’s vehicle accordingly," the URA stated in a letter to the politician's lawyers.
The vehicle was acquired from Mombasa businessman Fauz Khalid who even facilitated its delivery to Uganda.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) website showed that Khalid was the registered owner of the luxurious car. The vehicle's ownership was later changed to the Ugandan politician.
The armored car attracted the attention of Ugandan Authorities who have since indicated that the vehicle was erroneously cleared. They are seeking to establish how Bobi Wine undervalued the car.
According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), A new Toyota Land cruiser costs between Ksh8 million and Ksh14 million while an armored one can cost up to Ksh45 million depending on the features.
Bobi Wine stated that he had acquired the vehicle through donations from his diaspora supporters.
"A few weeks ago, these comrades surprised me when they informed me that they had succeeded in raising enough money for the vehicle and here it is. I can't thank you enough," Wine wrote on his social media account - a post that he later pulled down.
A High Court in Kampala has earlier dismissed an application by Bobi Wine seeking to block tax re-evaluation of the vehicle.
