David Kalemera, the embattled head of Uganda’s State House Revenue Intelligence Unit, has been relieved of his position and reassigned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This decision comes less than a year after his controversial appointment and follows mounting public outrage over his criminal past.
Kalemera, a former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) official, was appointed in July 2024 to lead the newly established Revenue Intelligence Unit, a position critical to combating tax evasion and safeguarding national revenue.
However, his appointment sparked immediate backlash due to a 2022 conviction for tax fraud and conspiracy.
Critics questioned how someone with a history of undermining the very system he was tasked to protect could hold such a position of trust.
The Tax Fraud Case
Court records detail Kalemera’s involvement in a sophisticated tax evasion scheme that cost the Ugandan government billions of shillings.
High Court Justice Lawrence Gidudu found Kalemera guilty in April 2022, alongside co-conspirators Ssemanda Ian Paul and Kazibwe Ronald. T
he trio falsified customs documentation to evade taxes on imported goods cleared through Kenya’s Mombasa port.
According to Justice Gidudu’s ruling, Kalemera was the mastermind behind the scheme.
Evidence presented during the trial showed he was the source of falsified invoices and packing lists that deliberately misrepresented the nature and value of the imported goods.
“The evidence clearly established that the accused’s actions were intentional and fraudulent,” Justice Gidudu remarked, emphasizing the calculated nature of Kalemera’s actions.
Despite his conviction, Kalemera has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining his innocence throughout the trial and subsequent controversy over his appointment.
He has portrayed himself as a reformer, declaring his commitment to fighting corruption and plugging revenue leaks in the country’s tax administration.
Public Backlash and Reassignment
President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to appoint Kalemera to the Revenue Intelligence Unit faced sustained criticism from anti-corruption advocates, civil society organizations, and political analysts.
Many saw the appointment as a direct contradiction of the government’s stated commitment to combating corruption and tax evasion.
“The decision to place someone with a criminal conviction for tax fraud in charge of revenue intelligence eroded public confidence in the system,” said a Kampala-based political analyst, who requested anonymity.
The announcement of Kalemera’s removal has been met with widespread approval. Anti-corruption campaigners have lauded the move as a necessary step toward restoring credibility in Uganda’s tax administration.
“This is a positive development for accountability in Uganda,” commented an official from the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU).
Kalemera’s reassignment to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, however, has drawn mixed reactions.
While some see it as a strategic sideline to a less sensitive position, others question why an official with a criminal record is being retained in government service at all.
Implications for the Revenue Intelligence Unit
The State House has yet to announce Kalemera’s replacement at the Revenue Intelligence Unit. The unit, created last year, is part of a broader effort to strengthen revenue collection and crack down on tax evasion—a major issue in Uganda’s economy.
Observers say the next appointee must embody integrity and professionalism to restore public trust and effectively lead the fight against revenue leakages.
“This is a critical office, and it demands a leader whose character is beyond reproach,” noted an economist based in Kampala.
A Pattern of Controversial Appointments
Kalemera’s case highlights a broader challenge in Uganda’s public administration: the appointment of individuals with questionable track records to key positions.
Analysts say such decisions undermine governance and fuel public cynicism about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
As Uganda grapples with systemic corruption, many are calling for stronger safeguards to ensure that appointments to critical roles prioritize merit and integrity.
Kalemera’s removal may be a step in the right direction, but it also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of overlooking accountability in public service.
For now, the focus shifts to how the Revenue Intelligence Unit will move forward under new leadership and whether Kalemera’s reassignment marks a genuine shift in government policy or a temporary appeasement of public outcry.
