Auditor General Faults URA for Failing to Collect Shs 52 Billion in Gold Export Tax from 2021 to 2023.

The Auditor General has faulted Uganda Revenue Authority for failing to collect Shs52.238Bn in gold exports, saying this has denied Gov’t revenue for service delivery. URA blamed the delayed collection of gold taxes on the an interim order issued by Court, halting the collection of this tax until concerns raised by the gold exporters are disposed of.

"The exports in 2021/ 22 weighed 30,167,582 & those of 2022/23 were 40,648.2kilograms, totalling to 70,837.91Kgs. This translated into US$14,167,582 equivalent to Shs52.238Bn that was not collected, contrary to the Mining and Minerals (Export Levy on Refines Gold) Regulations 2023. The uncollected revenue denies Government resources to deliver services. URA explained that an interim order was issued restraining it from enforcing the statutory instrument," read in part the December 2023 Auditor General's report.

Uganda Revenue Authority is seeking for an additional Shs167Bn to recruit 1,278 new staff in order to improve the Authority's efficiency. In 2024/25, URA has been allocated Shs619.989Bn of which, Shs253.495Bn will go towards payment of wages, Shs321.174Bn for non-wage expenditure, while Shs45.320Bn will cover development expenditure.

"Uganda Revenue Authority is doing a structural review to improve the efficiency of the organisation to add on to the number of foot soldiers required to do this noble mandate to plug some of the revenue leakages and this activity hadn’t happened for quite some long period of time. Our proposal is that this recruitment can be spread over time because it would require about Shs167Bn," said John Musinguzi, Commissioner General URA while appearing before the Finance Committee.