Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has resolved to meet Finance Minister Henry Musasizi over allegations that four companies were registered without paying fees totalling Shs8 billion to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
The decision followed a meeting with URSB officials on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, as the committee examined the Auditor General’s Report for the financial year ended 2025.
During the meeting, URSB officials told MPs that the Ministry of Finance had directed the Bureau to register Tropical Bank, Oil Palm Buvuma, Roko Construction Ltd and Speke Resort Convention Centre Munyonyo, then bill the ministry for the registration fees.
The arrangement prompted MPs to question the legal basis for the directive and why the money had remained unpaid for four years.
Ndorwa County West MP Eliab Naturinda said established procedures existed for government to acquire shares in companies or obtain exemptions from registration fees, including securing Cabinet approval.
COSASE Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi raised concerns about possible collusion and asked URSB to provide correspondence demonstrating efforts to recover the outstanding funds, together with the legal justification for the arrangement.
He questioned why the money remained unpaid, particularly when Parliament had continued approving funding for the companies.
Bamunanika County MP Robert Ssekitoleko called for a fact-finding visit to URSB headquarters and its regional offices, arguing that the Bureau’s dealings with the Finance Ministry required closer examination.
Appearing before the committee, URSB Acting Registrar General Mustapher Ntale said he had written to the Accountant General regarding the delayed payments but had yet to receive a resolution.
Ntale clarified that the companies had been exempted from stamp duty but were still required to pay registration fees. He said the minister had instructed the Registrar to register the companies and invoice the ministry, although he could not explain the legal framework supporting the arrangement.
Beyond the unpaid fees, MPs raised concerns about recurring internet outages affecting online registration services, breakdowns in the electronic government procurement system and fresh financial commitments amounting to Shs380 million despite existing domestic arrears.
Budadiri County East MP Julius Nakiyi questioned the new commitments, arguing that government entities should not take on additional financial obligations without first clearing outstanding arrears or securing an approved budget.
COSASE is scheduled to meet officials from the Ministry of Finance, URSB, the four companies and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Thursday, October 29, 2026, to investigate the audit query further.
Nkunyingi said the committee expected the Justice Ministry to clarify the legal framework governing URSB’s operations as Parliament seeks answers over the outstanding registration fees.
