The Police Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) has, in the last four months, recovered over Rwf413 million in taxes that culprits had attempted to evade through various fraudulent means.

The commandant of RPU, Sam Bugingo, said the taxes recovered between July and October include revenues that otherwise would have been evaded through fraud and smuggling, and fines levied on the offenders.

RPU is a police unit attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) following a formal agreement signed between the two institutions in 2012 to support revenue collection through fighting fraud and smuggling.

"Most of the commodities intercepted while being smuggled include liquors, baking powder and rice,” Bugingo said.

Others include powdered milk, African prints (bitenge) and cooking oil.

"But we also fight drug trafficking; last month alone, we intercepted 465 boxes of chief waragi, a banned gin.”

"We conduct operations day and night, but in most cases we work with the people through awareness on effects of smuggling and, in turn, they feed us with information on smugglers and other people involved in related fraudulent businesses,” Bugingo said.

Meanwhile, Emmy Mbera, the coordinator of electronic billing machines (EBMs) in RRA, said, with the support of RPU, they have this year, managed to arrest 25 holders of EBMs who were using them in fraudulent businesses to evade taxes and to defraud the tax body by claiming tax refunds.

Eight of the culprits were arrested in October, he said.

"We have also managed to identify other 700 people, who were working with the holders of EBMs in fraud; they had evaded about Rwf6.7 billion, but they will pay over Rwf12 billion, including fines,” Mbera said.

He appealed to the public to partner with RPU and RRA to fight smuggling and fraud "to protect the general interest and public infrastructures.”

"Rwf6.7 billion can build about 160 classrooms or 26 health centres. This is why Rwandans should stand up against such malpractices because in the end, the taxes are meant to support them in various developmental ways,” Mbera said.

This, he noted, requires buyers to always ensure that they are given EBM receipts "because it is their right and an obligation to the seller.”

"If you know or even suspect anyone to be involved in fraudulent schemes to evade taxes, you can call toll-free lines 3004 and 3005 or inform the nearest police officer or police station, you will have played your part in the development of your country,” Mbera said.

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