By Watchdog reporter
On Wednesday, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) sealed off murder suspect Matthew Kanyamunyu’s Quantum Express Logistics over tax arrears.
The company was closed for failure to pay Shs13 million accrued from Value Added Tax (VAT). The company is said to have issued cheques to the tax body that bounced in an attempt to pay the bill.
However,veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda who happens to be Kanyamunyu’s closest friend has condemned URA’s action saying it is not fair at all.
He says the tax collection body can close a company who owes it only shs13 million in VAT but can afford not to close a company that owes it shs300 million in taxes.
“URA owes your company a withholding tax refund of Shs 300m. However your company owes URA shs 13m in VAT. URA comes and closes your business for non payment of taxes. They say that is the law. Well, it may be the law. But what do you think of such a system of tax administration,”Mwenda stated.
Kanyamunyu is currently in Luzira prison for allegedly shooting Kenneth Akena, 33, in the stomach over the denting of his car. Akena died a day after at Norvik Hospital, on Bombo Road in Kampala. On November 22, last year, the accused were charged with the murder of Akena.
According to the Penal Code Act, murder convicts face a death penalty. In his statement to the Police, Kanyamunyu denied the allegations, saying although he had an exchange with the deceased over ramming into his car, he did not harm him (Akena). Kanyamunyu claims that his only crime was taking Akena to hospital after he was shot.
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