The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has arrested Frank Mugisha and Muhumuza George, accusing them of orchestrating a fraudulent export scheme involving fictitious shipments of Super Match cigarettes. The two face charges of obtaining money by false pretense, as well as manipulating customs records and export documentation to deceive investors.
According to URA, the suspects allegedly conned a Congolese businessman, Masereka Musavuli, out of more than US$24,000 through a fake export arrangement.
URA intelligence indicates that Musavuli was told that 15,000 cartons of Super Match cigarettes were available for purchase and were supposedly stored at the URA warehouse in Nakawa. Mugisha claimed the cigarettes had been intercepted while entering Uganda from Kenya and offered to facilitate their export on Musavuli’s behalf. Muhumuza allegedly introduced himself as the rightful owner of the intercepted consignment.
To make the scheme appear credible, the suspects reportedly escorted Musavuli to the customs warehouse and showed him sacks from outside the facility, comparing them with photos previously shared via WhatsApp. URA later confirmed that no valid export records or entries existed for such a shipment.
URA’s statement further notes that after Musavuli paid the money—sent through an expired Payment Reference Number (PRN)—he proceeded to organize packaging materials and transportation. A truck he hired was weighed while empty and held at the warehouse gate for three weeks before being released, but no cigarettes were ever loaded.
When the goods failed to materialize, Musavuli reported the incident to URA under case number GEF 145/2025. Investigations revealed that no Super Match cigarettes connected to the alleged deal were present in URA’s custody, confirming the shipment had been fabricated.
URA has cautioned the public against falling for offers of seized or impounded cigarettes. Acting Manager for Intelligence, Alfred Kyamanywa, reiterated that URA does not sell confiscated tobacco products, noting that all seized cigarettes are destroyed in line with the Tobacco Control Act, 2015.
URA Commissioner General John Rujoki Musinguzi condemned the scheme and urged businesspeople to independently verify any export-related claims or documentation with URA or report suspicious activity to the authorities.
“If someone claims they have cigarettes at Nakawa and offers to sell them report them,” he said, emphasizing that the law would be enforced.
“This is a way of protecting the public from unscrupulous individuals, preserving the integrity of our institution, and sending a strong message: you cannot get away with this. If you do it, then the law will take its course.”
In the 2024/2025 financial year, URA destroyed several tonnes of illicit cigarettes—including Super Match, Oris and Business Royal—as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers and protect legitimate local and international investors from fraudulent activity.
