Mineral royalties should be cleared
Jan 30, 2008
EDITOR’S COMMENT<br><br>Uganda is gifted by nature and has tens of mineral ores. For many years, various companies have been mining these minerals without giving royalties to the districts. A royalty is a token tha the mining company gives to the Government and local administration.
EDITOR’S COMMENT
Uganda is gifted by nature and has tens of mineral ores. For many years, various companies have been mining these minerals without giving royalties to the districts. A royalty is a token tha the mining company gives to the Government and local administration.
The 2003 Mining Act and districts can now get a share of the royalties from minerals. However, most of the districts supposed to benefit. they have never received their share.
Some districts claim they claim they were told that their cheques were not ready. A few like Tororo and Kasese have received royalties at least twice.
Given the sensitive nature of natural resources vis-Ã -vis communities in which these resources are located, the issue of royalties needs to be urgently acted upon.
District leaders should make any royalties received public. Many communities may complain about the existence of a huge mine from which they have no benefits and yet funds are being received by their local authorities.
The Government and the ministry of finance should ensure that cheques are sent to the benefiting districts regularly. Such transparency will alleviate corruption or any form of cheating.
Uganda is gifted by nature and has tens of mineral ores. For many years, various companies have been mining these minerals without giving royalties to the districts. A royalty is a token tha the mining company gives to the Government and local administration.
The 2003 Mining Act and districts can now get a share of the royalties from minerals. However, most of the districts supposed to benefit. they have never received their share.
Some districts claim they claim they were told that their cheques were not ready. A few like Tororo and Kasese have received royalties at least twice.
Given the sensitive nature of natural resources vis-Ã -vis communities in which these resources are located, the issue of royalties needs to be urgently acted upon.
District leaders should make any royalties received public. Many communities may complain about the existence of a huge mine from which they have no benefits and yet funds are being received by their local authorities.
The Government and the ministry of finance should ensure that cheques are sent to the benefiting districts regularly. Such transparency will alleviate corruption or any form of cheating.