The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has asked Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to explain why they haven’t collected 45 billion shillings in gold export taxes. They want URA to take action, like freezing the accounts of Gold Refinery Companies that aren’t paying their taxes.
This decision came after a meeting between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Committee. They looked at a report from December 2023, which said there’s still 45 billion shillings in unpaid gold export taxes. Even though a court said the Gold Refinery companies have to pay the tax, they still haven’t.
During the meeting, Irene Batebe, from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, gave a list of companies that owe money. These include Aurnish Trading Company (5.9 billion shillings), Bullion Refinery Ltd (17.2 billion shillings), Metal Testing & Smelting Co.Ltd. (13 billion shillings), Simba Gold Refinery Ltd (1.7 billion shillings), Thamba Investments Ltd (5.7 billion shillings), and Africa Gold Refinery (1.7 billion shillings).
Muwanga Kivumbi, the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, said the Ministry isn’t doing enough to get the money back. He also said the government wants to know who owns these companies to get the money back.
Xavier Kyooma (Ibanda South) asked for proof that the companies’ accounts had been frozen. Batebe said URA plans to close the accounts, so Muwanga called URA officials to explain more.
Muwanga said they need to investigate the mineral sector properly to make sure Uganda gets its fair share of money from minerals. He’s determined to fix the problem and make sure everyone knows who owns these companies
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