In Summary: Minister Lugoloobi has challenged stakeholders in Uganda’s extractive industry to strengthen transparency, revenue collection and mineral governance, questioning whether the country is getting the full economic value from its mineral resources. He made the call while launching the dissemination of Uganda’s fifth Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report in Kampala.
Kampala, Uganda — The Minister of State for Planning, Hon Amos Lugoloobi, has challenged stakeholders in Uganda’s extractive industry to strengthen governance, responsible investment and revenue management to ensure the country derives greater economic value from its mineral resources.
Lugoloobi questioned whether Uganda was maximising the value of its minerals before they leave the country, calling for stronger oversight of production, exports and payments made by companies operating in the sector. “Are we maximising the value of our mineral resources before they leave the country?” he asked.
The Minister made the remarks while officially opening the national dissemination of Uganda’s fifth Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report at Protea Hotel in Kampala.
Uganda has so far published five EITI reports covering the financial years 2019/20 to 2023/24, providing information on extractive-sector revenues, production, exports and payments to government.
According to Lugoloobi, Uganda’s extractive sector generated approximately Shs663.24 billion in revenue during the 2023/24 financial year, with mining and quarrying contributing Shs336.97 billion.
He said the figures demonstrate the sector’s economic contribution but also raise questions about whether government is collecting all the revenue due and adequately monitoring mineral production, exports and company payments.
“Are we collecting all the revenues due to Government?” he asked, pointing to the need to strengthen revenue administration and address possible weaknesses in tax compliance, licensing and reporting.
Lugoloobi said information generated through EITI reporting gives government a clearer understanding of mineral production volumes, exports, company operations and fiscal payments.
He added that the information can help authorities identify possible under-reporting, weaknesses in tax compliance and opportunities to improve the collection of royalties, corporation tax, withholding tax and surface rentals.
The minister emphasised that transparency in the extractive industry should go beyond publishing periodic reports, describing EITI as a tool for improving economic management and mobilising domestic revenue.
“EITI should not be viewed simply as a reporting exercise or an obligation to publish periodic reports. It is a governance and economic management instrument that can help Uganda mobilise more domestic revenue and derive greater value from its natural resources,” he said.
The fifth EITI reporting process has recommended continued efforts to institutionalise reporting, improve data quality and accessibility, strengthen beneficial ownership and licence transparency, and enhance revenue and financial disclosures.
It also calls for expanded environmental and climate-related reporting to improve accountability for the wider effects of extractive activities.
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