By Yusuf
In a disturbing turn of events, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) finds itself embroiled in controversy once again, this time in the quiet confines of Zawili trading centre, Mithika village, Azipi parish, Oleba Sub-county, Maracha east constituency in Maracha District. Accusations of misconduct surfaced after URA officers allegedly conducted a forceful midnight raid on the home of a trader, Mr. Aleku David, on the suspicion of smuggling.
According to eyewitnesses and local officials, the raid occurred at 1 am on the 25th of March, 2024. Residents were roused from their sleep by the commotion, with some reporting hearing gunshots in the dead of night. Mr. Aleku David, the trader at the center of the incident, recounted a harrowing experience of being assaulted by URA officers who stormed his home and allegedly beat him before he managed to flee.
The situation escalated as angry residents, feeling violated by the sudden intrusion into their community, sought answers from local authorities. They vented their frustrations at the office of the Resident District Commissioner for Maracha District on the morning of the incident. Allegations swirled that URA officers not only arrested Mr. Aleku David’s brother, Mr. Aroga Nelson, but also confiscated goods and a significant sum of money from the premises.
However, authorities, including the District Police Commander (DPC) and the Resident District Commissioner, denied these claims, stating that no money was taken during the operation. The DPC, SP Joshua Kananura, went further to accuse local politicians, including the Maracha District NRM Chairman, Mr. Ofekua Gabriel, of inciting resistance against law enforcement efforts.
In response, Mr. Ofekua Gabriel condemned URA’s actions, criticizing them for mistreating NRM voters and accused the DPC of harassment. The situation escalated with political undertones as the NRM Chairman expressed concerns about the impact of such incidents on party mobilization efforts in the district.
The turmoil prompted a closed-door meeting chaired by the Resident District Commissioner, Rtd Captain Yassin Buga Matata, which included key stakeholders such as the DPC, local councilors, and URA representatives. The meeting sought to address the allegations and find a resolution to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As tensions simmered, the LC5 Chairman for Maracha District, Hon Obitre Stephen, emphasized the importance of cooperation between residents and authorities while commending locals for their attempts to defend against what they perceived as a violation of their rights.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between law enforcement and community relations, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in such operations to avoid further escalation and restore trust between authorities and the public.