Tanzania Revenue officer behind bars for over 5.4m/- theft in Kagera

BUKOBA: THE Muleba District Magistrate’s Court has sentenced Elbert Rutaihwa, a revenue collector, to three years’ imprisonment after he was convicted of stealing over 5.4m/- belonging to his employer.

The offence was committed contrary to Section 15 (1) (a) and (2) of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) Act, Revised Edition 2023.

A prosecutor from the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), Mustafa Mcharazo told the court during hearing of the case that on diverse dates between April-September, 2025 the convict (Rutaihwa) on virtue of his employment, collected a total of 5,439,700/- but negligently failed to deposit the revenue through the official POS Account but instead used the money for his own benefit.

Before passing the sentence, Muleba District Magistrate Lilian Mwambeleko said that the prosecution had proved the Corruption Case No 12/2025 beyond a reasonable doubt and sentenced Rutaihwa to three years imprisonment.

She also ordered the convict to return the 5.4m/- to Muleba Council within six months. Meanwhile, the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) in Kagera Region has successfully recovered 22 acres of village land in Missenyi District which was unlawfully occupied by an individual.

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Kagera Regional PCCB Chief, Mr Vangsada Mkalimoto revealed the information while briefing reporters on the institution’s report from the months of AprilJune, 2025.

He revealed that the institution received complaints from citizens of Bugango Village in Missenyi District regarding the issue and conducted investigation in collaboration with officials from the land department.

“The investigation revealed that the occupant was issued 10 acres by the village leadership but for unknown reasons the individual (name withheld) unlawfully expanded the size of the land to 32 acres. On 10 June, 2025 we convened a village council where it was unanimously agreed to recover 22 acres which was handed back to the village leadership,” he said.

Mr Mkalimoto further said during the period PCCB conducted follow-up on the implementation of 22 projects worth 51.218bn/- out of which nine projects were found with deficiencies.

The institutions have been directed to take necessary steps to rectify them. The PCCB Chief also appealed to party candidates to conduct peaceful campaigns and should avoid corruption acts warning that the institution was closely following the exercise.