Two men have been arrested by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) for allegedly orchestrating a major export scam involving fictitious Super Match cigarette consignments. The suspects, Frank Mugisha and George Muhumuza, are facing charges of obtaining money by false pretense, falsifying customs records, and fabricating export entries meant to deceive investors.

Complaint From Congolese Investor Triggers Probe

The case was opened after Masereka Musavuli, a businessman from the Democratic Republic of Congo, reported that the duo had defrauded him of UGX 36.88 million and USD 15,000. He said the suspects convinced him they were selling “Super Match” cigarettes allegedly stored in a customs warehouse at Nakawa.

URA investigations indicate that Masereka had been offered a deal for 15,000 cartons of the cigarettes, which the suspects claimed were kept at URA Headquarters. Mugisha reportedly told him the consignment had been intercepted while being smuggled from Kenya and promised to help facilitate an export route to DRC. Muhumuza was introduced as the rightful owner of the so-called seized goods.

The pair even escorted Masereka to the warehouse, where they showed him sacks said to contain the cigarettes, matching images they had sent him earlier. However, access to the warehouse interior was denied, with Muhumuza insisting that entry would only be permitted once the paperwork was finalized.

Expired PRNs, Fake Assessments, and a Trail of Fraud

URA says the scammers issued Masereka an expired Payment Reference Number, (PRN 2250013706446), dated April 28, 2025, for UGX 36,880,000. Mugisha later generated a second assessment using a different search code, (search code 70173132507654), for the same amount. Acting on their instructions, Masereka wired the funds through Mumbere and completed payment at DT Bank in Kikubo on May 6, 2025.

To reinforce the illusion of a legitimate export process, Frank allegedly advised the investor to buy packaging materials for the supposed goods destined for Busunga, along the DRC route. Masereka then hired a truck and drove it to URA Headquarters for loading, only for the lorry to remain empty. The truck was weighed as instructed but was later impounded for three weeks before being released, and no cigarettes were ever provided.

Masereka also claims Mugisha extracted an additional USD 15,000 as facilitation fees. Frustrated and without goods to show for the payments, he filed a complaint with URA under (GEF 145/2025).

URA Findings: No Such Cigarettes Ever Existed

According to URA investigators, their records show no exportation of Super Match cigarettes linked to the suspects. Further checks confirm that neither Mugisha nor Muhumuza owned any of the cigarettes said to be stored in the warehouse. URA believes the export entry was produced solely to manipulate Masereka into paying for goods that were never on the premises.

URA Issues Public Warning

Ag. Manager Intelligence Alfred Kyamanywa cautioned traders against falling for similar schemes, stressing that URA does not sell confiscated items.

He said: “We want to inform the public that Customs Enforcement is involved in so many operations across the country, and some of these operations involve cigarettes, contraband cigarettes, especially Super Match and Oris most recently. But when we impound these cigarettes from all over the country, these cigarettes are disposed off in a manner that is prescribed by the law. In other words, we don't sell cigarettes at URA Nakawa HQ.”

URA Commissioner General John R. Musinguzi condemned the fraudulent acts and assured the business community that the authority remains committed to safeguarding lawful traders.

He stated:
“Be wary of anybody out there who will come to you and tell you there are cigarettes at URA, report that person, either to the nearest police station or report that person to the nearest URA office. We are always available and ready to act on them like we have acted on these ones.”

He further emphasized:
“We want to use this as a deterrent measure, to warn anyone out there who thinks they can go and claim to anybody that you have this or that; it may not even be cigarettes and that Uganda Revenue Authority is selling.”

The Commissioner General added that URA’s priority is protecting the public, maintaining institutional integrity, and reinforcing the message that such schemes will be met with full legal action.