Tibet Hima Mining Company Ltd, a private firm based in China, has petitioned Parliament to investigate the circumstances under which the government terminated its contract to manage, rehabilitate and operate Kilembe Mines for 25 years.
The company which was tasked to resume copper ore mining in Kilembe Mines in Kasese district, presented a number of complaints accusing the government of frustrating the implementation of the 2013 concession agreement leading to financial loss.
Hon. Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli County Central) presented the petition to Parliament during the plenary sitting chaired by Speaker, Anita Among, on Thursday, 18 April 2024.
According to the petition, the government failed to honor its obligations as per the agreement causing Tibet Hima Mining Company direct financial loss totaling to US$980 million between 2014 and 2017.
“The petitioner in implementing the agreement paid Shs4.2 billion to the government, directly employed 822 Ugandans, purchased equipment worth US$ 22 million and committed US$183.500 million to future investments in the resumption of copper ore production from Kilembe mines,” said Silwany.
Silwany noted that the government failed on a number of its mandates including handing over the Kilembe Mines site to the company and unlawfully terminating the contract.
“Government failed to hand over Kilembe Mines to the petitioner nine months from the date of entering into the agreement, reduced the concession period from 25 years to15 years and failed to provide the necessary permits and licenses,” Silwany said.
Tibet Hima Company further noted that despite the government’s failure to honor the agreement, it undertook a number of activities in preparation for the mining and processing of minerals including upgrading the existing operation facilities, underground mine dewatering, design of underground materials handling system and procurements.
They prayed that Parliament investigate the implementation of the concession agreement and establish whether both parties fulfilled their contractual obligations and reasons for site handover delays.
The petitioner also wants the government to halt the ongoing advertisement and subsequent procurement process related to Kilembe Mines.
Speaker Among referred the petition to the House Committee on Trade for consideration.
Parliament has approved the proposal to have the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) take over the civil registration (civil marriages) from Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), urging the transfer should be done in a phased manner so as to allow NIRA build capacity.
This comes at the time, MPs on the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee recently expressed concerns over the proposal to transfer civil registrations to NIRA, with many wondering if the current disruptions at Kololo Independence Grounds to pave way to host state functions will not leave many couples seeking to have civil marriage ceremonies stranded following the cancellations of their appointments, which is not the case at URSB.
Richard Oseku (Kibale County) informed Parliament of concerns raised by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee about the readiness of NIRA to ensure a smooth transfer of the functions of URSB without disruption or without compromising on service delivery to the public.
“If the transition processes are not handled smoothly and in a coordinated manner, the public is likely to face challenges arising from the lack of readiness to deliver on the new. In order to build the capacity of NIRA to deliver on the new there is need for NIRA and URSB to coordinate the transfer of functions to NIRA in order to ensure that functions are only transferred to NIRA only where NIRA has obtained the capacity to deliver on the new mandate. This will require the commencement of the Bill to be staggered to enable URSB to continue providing the services as NIRA builds capacity to provide the services,” said Oseku.
In order to resolve the crisis, Parliament approved the proposal in the report of the 2024/25 ministerial policy statement for NIRA, to have additional Shs20 billion availed in NIRA’s budget to allow the entity acquire new office space and leave Kololo Independence Grounds.
Paradise Island, owned by Ruparelia Group can be regarded as a sophisticated hidden gem of Uganda, surrounded by peaceful and calm fresh waters of Lake Victoria. Project managers say construction works currently stand at 90 percent. It is expected to put the tourism industry to another level.
The hideout is just 10 kilometres off the shores of L. Victoria, in a sublime fascinating location, and can only be accessed by a speed boat departing from Speke Resort Munyonyo Marina because of its exceptional setting.
The private island planned to have 21 nestled bedroom cottages lined up at its shores with a breathtaking view of Lake Victoria.
Each cottage will have a nook, hammock, and a swing or an outdoor bathtub on the balcony.
These include 13 Deluxe 2-bedroom cottages with a private pool, kitchen, kids mezzanine nook, and an outdoor bathtub.
Executive 4-bedroom villas with outdoor and indoor kitchens, fishing and sunset viewing, private pool, private BBQ lawn, private beach, and an outdoor shower.
The facility offers spectacular lake views, open skys, and sunset moments for a perfect destination for holiday and vacation escapes.
The enchanting island offers everything from quiet, relaxing, and intimate locations for family getaways, party destination weddings, honeymooners and couples to a great deal of time to themselves.
The facility will offer guest accommodation rooms, conference facilities, meeting facilities, a spa and salon, gym, restaurant and bar, wedding venues, and a chapel.
The hangout is for those who want to relax and enjoy the calm atmosphere with a drink at the poolside deck or participate in swimming, bird watching, beach walks, boat cruising, beach restaurant, fishing around the island, beach games like volleyball, beach soccer, camping, zip lining, island cycling and many more, Paradise Island is a place for you who want to experience a new adventure.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa and Esther Lubunde at his office.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa on Wednesday met and pardoned Esther Lubunde, the woman who appeared in a viral video accusing him of arresting her husband and grabbing her land at Abaita Ababiri in Entebbe.
In the recorded video, Lubunde who appeared distressed mentioned two names; Patrick Nziza Patrick and Allan Nkubiito as Tayebwa’s men who reportedly took away her land and arrested her husband for failing to pay a legal fine amounting to Shs40 million following a court ruling.
She also claimed to have reported the matter to various agencies, including the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU) but received no help.
“The first time I recorded a video calling for help from Edith Nakalema, she apprehended the grabbers you use, Patrick Nziza and Allan Nkubiito. Shortly after they were produced in court, you ordered their release. I was advised to go to court, but even when I went to court, my lawyer was compromised,” said Mrs Lubunde in the video recording that has been shared widely on social media, before asking Tayebwa to release her husband and give them back their land.
As the idea garnered public attention, Tayebwa came out on Tuesday to address the claims and denied knowing the woman and the piece of land at Abaita Ababiri as alleged. The Deputy Speaker further asked the public to help him identify the woman and put him in touch with her.
Yesterday, Tayebwa met with Mrs. Lubunde at Parliament, where she apologized for falsely accusing him of acts he has no knowledge about.
“This afternoon, I met with Esther Lubunde, accompanied by her father, sister, and lawyers, the lady who was misled to believe that I was involved in her ongoing land disputes, as shown in a viral video. She graciously apologized after realizing that I have no connection to Tayebwa, in whose name the land under contention is registered,” Tayebwa said.
He added, “While I have accepted her apology, I kindly request that the public refrain from spreading unfounded and malicious messages about individuals they do not know. While my reputation has been irreparably damaged, at least Esther can now find peace knowing that I had no involvement in her situation. I would like to express gratitude to friends who helped me obtain her contact information following my passionate plea yesterday,” he added.
A statement released by the Anti-corruption noted that SH-ACU confirmed knowledge in which it first intervened in 2021 following a similar video by the same Esther Lubunde and then investigations kicked off.
“Dr. Lubunde Edward and his wife bought the land from Allan Nkubiito Allan without the consent of the family. Without knowledge of the sale to Dr. Lubunde, the family sold the same land to Patrick Nziza who took possession and erected a structure on the land,” the Anti-Corruption revealed.
On March 27, 2023, the high court ruled in favour of Nziza and Dr. Lubunde was ordered to pay costs.
Contrary to Esther’s claims, in all her interactions with the Unit had with her and the husband, Dr. Lubunde, they did not at any one time present any complaint against the person of Thomas Tayebwa.
The Unit has investigated claims of kidnap raised in the most recent video by Esther Lubunde and established that he was not kidnapped but rather committed to a civil prison for failing to pay costs awarded against him in the civil case against Nziza. He is currently detained at Luzira Prison.
The Unit added that his detention at the prison facility is in the knowledge of his wife and other relatives who have visited him there as captured in prison records.
Thomas Kwoyelo, the former commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), has revealed that the top commanders of the rebel group are soldiers of former President Tito Okello, whom President Yoweri Museveni ousted.
Kwoyelo said before the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court circuit sitting in Gulu.
He told court that the former soldiers were in charge of training abductees and planning attacks. The abducted children did so because they would not consider escaping or recall directions to return home.
Kwoyelo was abducted by the LRA on his way to school in 1987, remained in captivity, and later became a colonel.
Kwoyelo is facing charges of murder, aggravated robbery, extensive destruction of property, causing serious injury to body or health, and inhumane treatment, rape, and torture, among others, that he is alleged to have committed against the civilian population of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, and the northeastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The worst attack of the paramilitary group that was under the leadership of Joseph Kony occurred in Haute-Hele Province (DRC) in December 2008, the so-called Christmas massacre, where over 200 people were killed and over 800 houses razed down.
The rebels split up into groups to attack the villages of Faradje, Batande, Duru, Bangadi, and Burgi. They waited until people had gathered for Christmas festivities, then surrounded and killed them with axes, machetes, and clubs.
In March 2009, Kwoyelo was injured during hostilities between the Ugandan army and the LRA in the DRC and brought into Uganda for medical treatment and subsequently into custody.
His trial, however, commenced in July 2011. Before ICD, a division of Uganda’s High Court Constitutional Court resolved that the suspect’s trial should stop as it found grounds for the failure by the DPP and the Amnesty Commission to act on Kwoyelo’s application. In 2015, the Supreme Court decided that Kwoyelo’s trial should resume.
EFRIS in full is Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution. EFRIS entails the use of Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs), e-Invoicing, or direct communication with business transaction systems to manage the issuance of e-receipts and e-invoices in accordance with the Tax Procedures Code Act 2014.
Once a transaction is initiated using any of the solution’s components, transaction details are transmitted to Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in real time to generate e-receipts and e-invoices.
Section 73A of the Tax Procedures code 2014, provides the legal framework for implementing EFRIS. The provision provides for the commissioner to specify by a notice in the Gazette, taxpayers for whom it shall be mandatory to use EFRIS under the various business models i.e. Business to Business (B2B), Business to Government (B2G), Business to Consumer (B2C) in Uganda to issue e-receipts or e-invoices.
It is mandatory for all VAT registered tax payers to enroll on the system. To register for EFRIS, one needs a TIN and password to the TIN.
However, those outside this category are advised to implement EFRIS and take advantage of the various benefits.
Benefits of EFRIS!
According to URA, EFRIS helps to fast track the refund claims since the information is already available in the system; enables URA avail taxpayers with prefilled tax returns in future to minimize delays and costs involved in filling tax returns; prefilled tax returns will help taxpayers avoid penalties for late or non-filing
Other benefits are: Taxpayers will be in position to track and validate business transactions in real time for efficient business management. Proper bookkeeping and sales management, and the solution eliminates the risk of physical loss of tax invoices as transactional data or copies are digitally stored in the system; as well as Fair assessments of taxpayers’ tax positions which reduce unfair competition in business.
State parasite on tax payers!
Despite URA’s stance, there is concern that the Ugandan state has become parasitic in nature, only wanting to feed on taxpayers yet it has not done much to uplift local businesses, some of which have collapsed, posing a challenge in tax collection.
Arguments from traders
According to traders in Kampala, EFRIS facilitates double taxation given that most merchandise they deal in attract VAT, and therefore see no reason to enroll on the system. Double taxation is discouraged in tax administration.
Traders see EFRIS as an inconvenience to them and their clients, and therefore government must reconsider it.
Analysts speak out on taxes and public expenditure
According to tax analysts, URA is insisting on EFRIS because they have failed to broaden the tax base and decided to impose more taxes on recorded taxpayers. The analysts say URA is desperate to raise more tax revenue to fund the big government, which include big parliament, and the big executive.
There is concern that public debt has increased partly because government must borrow domestically and externally to fund the big parliament, big executive, and the big public service sector, which has some employees doing nothing while earning billions of shillings in salaries and wages. Talk of ghost workers in government.
What must be done by government to entice Ugandans pay taxes
One of the suggestions is that the number of ministries and the number of members of parliament must be slashed since most of the money that URA struggles to get goes to these entities that are not even productive to contribute to gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.
Further, there is concern that the number of districts in Uganda which now stand at over 130 must be reduced by more than half. Most of these districts, analysts say depend on disbursements from central government as they don’t have their own sources of tax revenue to keep them afloat. The analysts claim most districts were created for political reasons as opposed to economic consideration, and thus why there is chaos when it comes to funding them.
The analysts say Uganda’s civil service is big for nothing given the existence of ghost workers that government pays. They say duplication of services must be stopped, and some departments, and ministries phased out. They say the civil service is not business-focused, as workers work for the sake of getting a salary, that is why departments meant to support local businesses are instead contributing to their death.
The public are not happy that a few people in the Cabinet, executive, parliament live a flamboyant lifestyle which depends on public money yet the citizens are languishing in abject poverty. The allowances and other emoluments allotted to serving and retired politicians must be checked. The analysts wonder why some departments and individuals in government have to depend on the public resources for accommodation, medical care, housing, security yet they get good salaries. All these discourage Ugandans from paying their fair share of taxes.
There is concern that however much Ugandans pay taxes, government officials keep on stealing the money. It is said government loses trillions of shillings to corrupt officials who have hid the money in real estate and land, thus impacting on service delivery. This is the reason the country still lacks enough schools, and health facilities, as well as medicines, and text books, or IT facilities in these places.
More so, tax analysts wonder why URA has failed to tax livestock, especially animals sold in big numbers. URA on its digital platform outlines how livestock can be paid but it is not implementing it. They should tell the public why not? Is it because it is the rich in this country that own the many animals that could be taxed when sold. Interestingly, there is also concern that Ugandans have to by animal vaccines for these same rich people that URA is shy to tax but is focused on taxing poor traders looking for school fees, and others that needed by their families not supported enough by the parasitic state!
Kitgum-Karena-Kidepo road, one of the roads to be constructed with the loan.
Government is set to acquire a Shs446 billion loan from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the upgrading of the Kitgum-Kidepo Road.
The revelation was made by Amos Lugoloobi, the state minister for planning. Kitgum-Kidepo Road is a tourism route connecting Northern Uganda.
“I tabled a loan request amounting to $117.26 million (Shs446 billion) from Standard Chartered Bank to finance the upgrading of the Kitgum-Kidepo Road and a supplementary budget amounting to Shs1.1 trillion,” he said.
The loan request has been referred to the Committee on National Economy for scrutiny.
During the reading of this financial year’s budget, President Yoweri Museveni said the government is set to undertake the construction of 325 km of tarmac roads and airports in various areas to facilitate the tourism sector in Uganda.
The roads include Kitgum-Kidepo (116 km), Lake Bunyonyi-Kisoro-Mgahinga (74 km), Karenga-Kapedo-Kaabong (70 km), and Kisoro-Rubuguri-Muko (65 km). The airports will be established in Karamoja and others for the easy movement of tourists.
Currently, Uganda is deemed the best tourism destination, with various national parks such as Kidepo, Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Lake Mburo, Elgon, Rwenzori, Kibaale Forest, Bunyonyi, and many game reserves across the country. Uganda’s tourism sites rank highly among international media outlets and global tourism agencies.
In the next financial year, the government aims to strengthen wildlife conservation at Mgahinga National Park, Lake Mburo, Semliki, Kibaale, Murchison, Kidepo Valley, Katonga, Toro Semliki, and Queen Elizabeth.
The 2023 Tourism Uganda Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities performance report indicates a surge in the number of tourists coming into the country.
According to the report, Uganda registered 1,274,210 tourists in 2023, compared to 814508 who visited the destination in 2022. Arrivals from Africa continue to dominate Uganda’s inbound tourism, with a share of 89.2%. Asia (4.4%), Europe (3.1%), and the Americas (1.9%) continue to be the biggest contributors to overseas tourist arrivals.
The growth was largely driven by an increase in arrivals from Mainland Africa and growth in the country’s traditional overseas source markets, such as the UK, USA, and India. At least 126136 tourists arrived from overseas, while 1136216 came from various African countries.
Shops remain closed and streets deserted in the ongoing strike by traders.
City traders have vowed to continue their strike despite meeting the minister of Finance and other government officials who promised to look into their concerns.
The Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, on Monday met the traders under their various associations and promised to study their grievances regarding taxation and policies that have led to the ongoing strike, which has paralyzed businesses in Kampala and some towns.
Kasaija in a statement on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, said his ministry will within the next two weeks, study and consult on the matter and communicate the ministry’s position taking into account the findings from the study and relevant consultations.
“It was agreed that traders shall immediately resume normal business as the Government concludes internal consultations and further engagement with the leadership of the Traders. The consultations shall be concluded within two weeks,” said Kasaija in a statement.
“URA shall continue to implement the EFRIS,” the minister said but the emphasis shall be placed on sensitization and handholding of taxpayers to appreciate the EFRIS and also ensuring that it is demystified among all taxpayers.
URA has been directed to establish an office in Kikuubo business hub that is solely dedicated to providing EFRIS support services to all traders and other taxpayers.
“[URA shall] exercise more sensitivity in the enforcement of EFRIS and shall accordingly exercise restraint with regard to the issuance and enforcement of penalties for the non-compliance to EFRIS, so as to give all taxpayers time to appreciate the EFRIS system,” explained Kasaija directing the URA Commissioner General URA to submit the list of traders currently having outstanding EFRIS penalties for possible waiver in accordance with the law.
Despite the minister’s statement, KACITA has asked the city traders to continue with the closure of shops until President Museveni meets them over the matter.
Businesses in Kampala last week and on Monday closed shop following a rallying call by KACITA Uganda and the Federation of Uganda Traders’ Association (FUTA) to protest over the implementation of EFRIS is assessing VAT, which traders say is pushing them out of business.
Tuesday marked the second day of the traders’ protest against enforcing the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS) by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA).
Regarding the anti-competition trade practices by manufacturers, Kasaija said the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives (MTIC) is finalizing the regulations to implement the Competition Law that was recently accented to by President Museveni.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives has since directed Kampala Capital City Authority, and all Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks to ensure compliance with the provisions of the TradeLicensing Act which prohibits the licensing of non-citizens as hawkers.
In today’s plenary, Erute South MP, Jona Odur has asked Speaker Anitah Among to prevail over the government and demand Uganda Revenue Authority to table before Parliament the regulations the Authority relied on, to make regulations on the Electronic Fiscal Receipting Solution (EFRIS) in order to allow Parliament scrutinise the provisions in the regulations and understand why the EFRIS System has been rejected by the traders.
“The contestation over the EFRIS is as a result of Section 73(a) of the Tax Procedures Code that we made here in that section, we delegated part of our responsibility to legislate to the Commissioner General of URA and he made regulations, which regulations are now causing problems for the traders. I wanted to ask that the Ministry of Trade be asked to lay before this Parliament those regulations and you can direct one of our committees to interrogate because the regulations are made under delegated authority of this Parliament,” Odur said.
He added, “If there is a problem with it (EFRIS), then we have to interrogate and see because it has penalties and so many other aspects and, in the past, we had suggested that all statutory instruments that are made for and on behalf of Parliament should be brought here, even when it isn’t mandatory so that we can ascertain whether it is the actual intention of the law that we made. This would help us to intervene in a timely manner to help the traders in the meantime, even this House if it pleases you may be able to make some advice to Government on that EFRIS.”
In response, Among called for constructive dialogue between the traders and the government in order to end the impasse.
Among noted, “We need to have a constructive dialogue to resolve the matter. We cannot have shops closed for all these days. The Minister will give a statement today. We had asked the Committees of Trade and Finance to interrogate that matter, they have not finished, so we will wait, but in the meantime as we wait for the Committee, what do we do?”
Catherine Muwanga, the wife of the late President Paulo Muwanga, is dead, EagleOnline has learnt.
Her death was confirmed by a close family member. “Mrs. Muwanga passed away yesterday at Nakasero Hospital. She has been hospitalized at Nakasero for some time”.
She is credited with donating land for Kagoma Church and other projects.
This website established that there will be a vigil at her Kololo-based home later today.
The International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court has dismissed an application by former LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo to deliver un-sworn testimony in the ongoing trial.
Kwoyelo, who is facing 78 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in northern Uganda between 1987 and 2005, was set to start his defense today. Led by his lawyer Evans Ochieng, Kwoyelo had lined up 15 witnesses to defend him in court, some of whom are family members.
The nature of the testimony meant that the prosecutors would not be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses.
The panel of Judges led Andrew Bashaija, Stephen Mubiru, Michael Elubu, and Duncan Gaswaga is today expected to conclude the hearing of the matter against Kwoyelo.
Kwoyelo’s trial resumed on April 17, 2023, at the International Crimes Division of the High Court (ICD) sitting at Gulu High Court in Gulu City, Northern Uganda; however, it stalled due to a lack of funds.
Having commenced the trial on September 24, 2018, the court had its first prosecution witnesses testify in March 2019, and since then, trial sessions have been held periodically between Kampala and Gulu.
Kwoyelo is facing charges of murder, aggravated robbery, extensive destruction of property, causing serious injury to body or health, and inhumane treatment, rape, and torture, among others, that he is alleged to have committed against the civilian population of northern Uganda, southern Sudan, and the northeastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Kwoyelo was abducted by the LRA on his way to school in 1987, remained in captivity, and later became a colonel.
The worst attack of the paramilitary group that was under the leadership of Joseph Kony occurred in Haute-Hele Province (DRC) in December 2008, the so-called Christmas massacre, where over 200 people were killed and over 800 houses razed down.
The rebels split up into groups to attack the villages of Faradje, Batande, Duru, Bangadi, and Burgi. They waited until people had gathered for Christmas festivities, then surrounded and killed them with axes, machetes, and clubs.
In March 2009, Kwoyelo was injured during hostilities between the Ugandan army and the LRA in the DRC and brought into Uganda for medical treatment and subsequently into custody.
His trial, however, commenced in July 2011. Before ICD, a division of Uganda’s High Court Constitutional Court resolved that the suspect’s trial should stop as it found grounds for the failure by the DPP and the Amnesty Commission to act on Kwoyelo’s application. In 2015, the Supreme Court decided that Kwoyelo’s trial should resume.
