By Uziah Tusaasire
The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has questioned the legality of the Finance Ministry’s decision to waive tax arrears owed by Kilembe Mines before obtaining parliamentary approval.
Ssenyonyi raised the concerns after State Minister for Planning Amos Lugoloobi tabled two tax waiver requests before Parliament, seeking approval to write off Shs2.6 billion in annual mineral rent arrears owed by Kilembe Mines and Shs1.8 billion in tax liabilities owed by K-Roma Limited, also known as Bella Wines.
Defence Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka said government had not yet written off Kilembe Mines’ arrears, pending parliamentary approval, although the Finance Ministry had exhausted available means of recovering the money.
Lugoloobi explained that the Kilembe Mines waiver is intended to facilitate a smooth takeover following the termination of its concession, while the Bella Wines request follows financial difficulties attributed to declining sales after the COVID-19 pandemic.
