How Segane’s Arrest Led to the Fall of URA Customs Commissioner

Details have emerged about how the arrest of prominent clearing agent Timothy Segane became a turning point in the case against Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Commissioner of Customs, Hajji Asadu Kisitu Kigozi.

Asadu was dismissed on Friday, November 13, 2026.

URA Assistant Commissioner for Public and Corporate Affairs Robert Kalumba confirmed the dismissal but did not provide further details.

The case against Asadu reportedly gained momentum after Segane’s arrest on August 25, 2026. Segane was arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe a customs officer. Prosecutors allege that Segane bribed officials to evade taxes, bypassed scanners and understated the declared value of goods. Segane’s arrest is alleged to have exposed dealings that investigators say involved senior customs officials. According to the claims against Asadu, he solicited and received payments from Segane, including Shs 300 million in 2025 and a further Shs 5 million in 2026, allegedly sent through a mobile money agent. The case has also drawn attention to customs revenue collections. Sources say that monthly collections had stagnated. However, following and Segane’s arrest, and Asadu’s suspension, URA customs collections drastically increased.

Other allegations
Investigators also accuse Asadu of concealing compliance information and the actual tax liability of Master Grain Milling Limited, allegedly causing significant revenue losses for personal gain. He is further accused of facilitating unfair competition in 2025 and 2026 by applying different tax rates to similar products.
In one case, he allegedly enabled James Matovu to pay Shs 19 million in taxes, while other taxpayers paid more than Shs 90 million for similar goods. Investigators reportedly describe documents used in the process as misleading. Asadu is also accused of clearing an imported vehicle without payment of local taxes and granting a waiver to businessman Lino Martin Mashimo on August 18, 2026. In another case, he allegedly instructed officials to clear a Rolls-Royce without following required customs procedures, valuation rules and tax-payment requirements.

Who is Segane?
People familiar with Segane describe him as calm, sociable and generous. He was reportedly a familiar figure at some of Kampala’s top bars, where he was said to spend more than Shs 50 million a night on alcohol. He is also described as influential among traders in the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) and container leaders. His father was reportedly a container dealer, giving Segane an early connection to the trade.

Segane remains in Luzira as he faces charges relating to false customs declarations, tax evasion, corruption and conspiracy to break customs laws.

Analysts say his arrest and Asadu’s dismissal are a gain for URA’s efforts to mobilise revenue.