David Kalemera, who was appointed to head Uganda’s State House Revenue Intelligence Unit last July despite a criminal conviction, has been fired and reassigned to the Foreign Affairs ministry, this website has learned.
The move comes amid sustained criticism over President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to appoint Kalemera, a former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official, to the sensitive position despite his 2022 conviction on charges of tax fraud and conspiracy.
Court records show that in April 2022, High Court Justice Lawrence Gidudu found Kalemera guilty of orchestrating a sophisticated tax evasion scheme that cost the government billions of shillings in revenue. The case revealed that Kalemera, along with co-conspirators Ssemanda Ian Paul and Kazibwe Ronald, used falsified customs documentation to evade taxes on goods cleared through Mombasa port.
“The evidence clearly established that the accused’s actions were intentional and fraudulent,” Justice Gidudu stated in his ruling. The prosecution successfully demonstrated that Kalemera was the source of falsified invoices and packing lists used to misrepresent imported goods.
The announcement of Kalemera’s firing has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates who had strongly criticized his appointment to oversee revenue intelligence operations. “This is a step in the right direction for accountability in Uganda’s tax administration,” said a political analyst in Kampala, who prefered anonmity.
Throughout the controversy, Kalemera maintained his innocence and defended his appointment, stating he was “committed to fighting corruption and revenue leakages.” However, his criminal record raised persistent questions about his suitability to lead anti-corruption efforts within the tax system.
The State House has not yet announced Kalemera’s replacement at the Revenue Intelligence Unit, which was established last year as part of government efforts to combat tax evasion and strengthen revenue collection.
