Bobi Wine Ordered to Pay $93,000 Tax for Bulletproof Car Acquired from Kenyan Businessman

Former Ugandan presidential aspirant Bobi Wine has been ordered to pay USh337 million ($93,000) tax for the bulletproof car he acquired from a Kenyan businessman.

Wine whose real name Robert Kyagulanyi purchased the luxury vehicle last year from Mombasa-based businessman Fauz Khalid, who also facilitated its shipping to Uganda.

He acquired the bulletproof car during the campaigns for the January 16th, 2021 presidential elections as he feared for his life.

Wine was seeking to unseat long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, who was accused of using State machinery to weaken his main rival in the election.

In a letter to Wine, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) ordered him to pay the amount as tax, saying the vehicle was erroneously cleared. The tax authority had initially valued the vehicle at $43,000 but a new valuation placed the price at $166,700.

“Please advise your client (Bobi) to liaise with the office of the Assistant Commissioner Enforcement who by copy hereof, is requested to facilitate payment of due taxes and release of your client’s vehicle accordingly,” the URA said in a letter to Wine.

Wine explained that he acquired the high-end car through donations from his diaspora supporters, who were concerned about his safety during campaigns.

“A few weeks ago, these comrades surprised me when they informed me that they had succeeded in raising enough money for the vehicle and here it is. I can’t thank you enough,” Wine wrote on his social media page.

A Kampala court dismissed an application by Wine seeking to block URA from reevaluating the vehicle.