Overview:
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, URSB officials said the ministry instructed the Bureau to register the companies - Tropical Bank, Oil Palm Buvuma, Roko Construction Ltd and Speke Resort Convention Center Munyonyo and invoice it, leaving MPs questioning the arrangement and the four-year delayed payment.
The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has resolved to meet the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi over influencing the registration of four companies without paying required fees amounting to Shs8 billion to Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, URSB officials said the ministry instructed the Bureau to register the companies – Tropical Bank, Oil Palm Buvuma, Roko Construction Ltd and Speke Resort Convention Center Munyonyo and invoice it, leaving MPs questioning the arrangement and the four-year delayed payment.
“Even if the ministry is interested in acquiring shares in such companies there is a known procedure, they would present the request to the Cabinet, and with its approval would go ahead to either buy shares or have those entities exempted from paying registration fees,” said Hon. Eliab Naturinda (NRM, Ndorwa County West), during the committee’s consideration of the Auditor General’s Report for the year ended 2025.
COSASE chairperson, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi said the alleged directive raises concerns about possible collusion.
“We cannot leave this money in abeyance, because there is possible collusion and yet Parliament has been passing money for these companies,” said Nkunyingi.
He demanded correspondence showing URSB’s efforts to recover the money and the legal basis for accepting the arrangement.
Bamunanika County MP, Hon. Robert Ssekitoleko called for visits to URSB offices and regional centres to investigate the audit concerns.
“The way URSB is working is not up to the expectations of a government entity. The way they deal with the ministry casually calls for more scrutiny, there must be a fact finding mission,” said Ssekitoleko.
MPs also questioned persistent internet downtime affecting online registration and breakdowns in the electronic government procurement system.
The Bureau was further tasked to explain new commitments worth Shs380 million despite outstanding domestic arrears.
“This is contrary to the rules, you cannot take on new commitments when you have not cleared the old ones and when you have no budget,” said Hon. Julius Nakiyi (NRM, Budadiri County East).
URSB Acting Registrar General, Mustapher Ntale said he had written to the Accountant General over the delayed payment in vain.
“The companies have only been exempted from stamp duty. For the registration fees, the Minister wrote to the registrar to register and invoice the ministry,” said Ntale although he could not explain the legal procedures supporting the arrangement.
The committee will meet Finance ministry officials, URSB, the companies and the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
“It is our interest that the ministry of Justice is available to explain the legal operations of URSB, we want to dig deeper into this audit query and ensure action is taken to rectify the anomaly,” said Nkunyingi.