The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, has refuted claims that President Museveni waived taxes on his armoured vehicle, stating that the bulletproof vehicle was legally imported and underwent all necessary legal processes.
In 2021, Bobi Wine unveiled his new Toyota Land Cruiser, which was an armoured vehicle. However, a month later, it was impounded by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to allow for re-inspection as URA claimed that it had been under-declared.
After re-examination, URA imposed new taxes of Shs 337 million on the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Reg. No. UBJ 667F after confirming that it was indeed bulletproof.
Bobi Wine, through his lawyers, protested the taxes as he petitioned the court seeking the release of his car by URA.
In June 2021, the tax body returned the vehicle following a presidential directive.
However, the back and forth in which the vehicle was impounded and later returned has resurfaced, with a section demanding explanations from Bobi Wine about how he got his car back, as it was alleged that President Museveni helped him clear the taxes.
In a statement, Bobi Wine, who claims that the allegations are simply malicious attempts to tarnish his reputation, said that the bulletproof vehicle was legally imported and went through all the necessary legal procedures.
He explained that they registered the vehicle under someone else’s name because they were aware of how the government would react if they knew it belonged to Bobi Wine.
He further noted that the vehicle underwent clearance at the Directorate of Interpol in Kololo and was fully approved. It was then taken to the forensics department of the police in Naguru, where it also received clearance. Finally, it was taken to the URA, where an independent verification was conducted, and the relevant tax of Shs 88,612,027/= was assessed and paid in full.
“For several months, government authorities did not raise any concerns regarding the vehicle. It was only when the vehicle was transferred under Bobi Wine’s name that they began searching for reasons to impound it,” Bobi Wine said.
He added, “Initially, they claimed that bulletproof vehicles required clearance from the Ministry of Defence, but there was no legal basis for this claim.”
Bobi Wine said that the developments forced them to initiate legal action against the Commissioner General of URA, challenging the imposed tax.
The authorities returned the vehicle with outstanding tax claims, but they have never followed up again to date.