KAMPALA UGANDA: 17 April 2026– In a rare display of public service integrity, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) has officially recognized and promoted a Customs Officer who turned down a life-changing bribe to report a massive cash concealment.
Enid Priscilla Katusiime was awarded Shs 50 million and a promotion after she successfully intercepted $10.2 million (approx. Shs 38.7 billion) hidden within a shipping container arriving from Turkey.
The incident occurred during a routine verification process at a bonded warehouse. The container, supposedly filled with “personal effects” belonging to a Ugandan returnee, appeared standard until Katusiime began a physical inspection.
“I opened the first box and it contained ordinary kitchenware,” Katusiime recounted. “But upon opening the next one, I saw stacks of paper money.”
The Temptation
As soon as the illicit cash was uncovered, Katusiime says the clearing agent attempted to subvert the law. The agent reportedly pleaded with her to stay silent, offering a massive kickback to look the other way.
“I saw the money and they told me that it’s your time to get rich, don’t report us,” Katusiime shared.
The agent allegedly promised her a payout of Shs 500 million if she allowed the boxes to pass through the gates. However, Katusiime, a self-described “born-again” Christian, remained unmoved. “I told them I cannot sin against my God or my country,” she added.
Heroic Recognition
Handing over the award at the URA headquarters, Commissioner General John Musinguzi Rujoki described Katusiime’s actions as nothing short of heroic. He emphasized that her refusal to be compromised is a blueprint for the “New URA” he seeks to build.
The Reward Package: Financial Award:(Shs 50,000,000), Career Advancement: Immediate promotion within the Customs Department, and Public Commendation: Recognized as a model of integrity for all staff.
“Her courage is a testament and an example to her colleagues,” Musinguzi said. “This is the level of integrity we need to transform this country. When we protect the gates of our economy from such concealments, we ensure a fairer playing field for all Ugandans.”
The seizure of $10.2 million is one of the largest cash interceptions in the tax body’s history. While investigations into the source and intended use of the money continue, URA officials noted that such large, undeclared sums are often linked to money laundering or the evasion of financial regulations.
The clearing agent involved is currently assisting authorities with investigations, while Katusiime returns to her post—now with a higher rank and the respect of a nation.
