COSASE Intervenes Over Unpaid Shs8 Billion URSB Registration Fees Involving Ministry of Finance

The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has stepped into a financial controversy involving the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Lawmakers are demanding answers regarding unpaid registration fees amounting to Shs8 billion for four major entities.

During a committee session considering the Auditor General’s Report, URSB officials revealed that the Ministry of Finance instructed them to register Tropical Bank, Oil Palm Buvuma, Roko Construction Ltd, and Speke Resort Convention Center Munyonyo without upfront payments. Instead, the bureau was directed to invoice the ministry, leading to a four-year delay in settling the arrears.

Lawmakers questioned the legal grounds and transparency of the arrangement. Hon. Eliab Naturinda noted that acquiring shares or exempting entities from statutory fees requires a formal Cabinet procedure rather than direct ministerial instructions. COSASE Chairperson Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi expressed concerns over potential collusion, demanding formal documentation showing efforts made to recover the funds.

Mustapher Ntale, the Acting Registrar General of URSB, confirmed that he had previously written to the Accountant General regarding the delayed payments without success. Ntale clarified that while the companies had received exemptions from stamp duty, the registration fees remained outstanding due to the directive from the ministry.

Beyond the registration fees, legislators raised concerns over persistent internet downtime affecting online services, technological failures in electronic procurement, and the accumulation of domestic arrears. The committee intends to meet with officials from the Ministry of Finance, URSB, the affected companies, and the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs to thoroughly investigate the matter.

Read more details on the Parliament of Uganda.