In short
Uganda, through the Ministry of Justice band Constitutional Affairs contracted Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt Mosle LLP, to arbitrate a tax dispute that arose after Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd sold its stake in Ugandas oil to Tullow at a cost of USD 10 million 36 billion Shillings.
Parliament's committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is exploring circumstances under which a United States-based Law firm could have been double paid in the controversial tax arbitration case between Uganda and Heritage Oil.
Uganda, through the Ministry of Justice band Constitutional Affairs contracted Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, to arbitrate a tax dispute that arose after Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd sold its stake in Uganda's oil to Tullow at a cost of USD 10 million (36 billion Shillings).
The same firm was contracted by Uganda Revenue Authority at a cost of 2.5 Billion Shillings to defend Uganda in the same case, which was handled by United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in a London court.
The Curtis team led by group chairman George Kahale, an international arbitration lawyer, guided Uganda to secure (USD 400 million) 1.4 trillion Shillings in capital gains tax from the sale. Other members of the team included Curtis' partners David Hesse, Galileo Pozzoli and Marco Blanco as well as associate Justin Jacinto.
But legislators are questioning the possibility that the company received payment from both the Ministry of Justice and from Uganda Revenue Authority for the same task.
The matter arose during the ongoing probe involving 42 government officials who received 6 billion Shillings as a token of appreciation for their various roles in the case.
The Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi let the cat out of the bag in an attempt to account for supplementary budget allocations and general finances in regards to the oil cash. He However said the payment could have been erroneous.
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Rujumbura County MP Fred Tumuhiirwe Turyamuweza states that it is an anomaly for two government bodies to pay the same company differently in the same matter.
//Cue in: "What we found…
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Committee chairperson Abdu Katuntu said the probe committee would find out the fact through summoning the officers involved to clearly explain the payments.
Uganda, through the Ministry of Justice band Constitutional Affairs contracted Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, to arbitrate a tax dispute that arose after Heritage Oil and Gas Ltd sold its stake in Uganda's oil to Tullow at a cost of USD 10 million (36 billion Shillings).
The same firm was contracted by Uganda Revenue Authority at a cost of 2.5 Billion Shillings to defend Uganda in the same case, which was handled by United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) in a London court.
The Curtis team led by group chairman George Kahale, an international arbitration lawyer, guided Uganda to secure (USD 400 million) 1.4 trillion Shillings in capital gains tax from the sale. Other members of the team included Curtis' partners David Hesse, Galileo Pozzoli and Marco Blanco as well as associate Justin Jacinto.
But legislators are questioning the possibility that the company received payment from both the Ministry of Justice and from Uganda Revenue Authority for the same task.
The matter arose during the ongoing probe involving 42 government officials who received 6 billion Shillings as a token of appreciation for their various roles in the case.
The Secretary to the Treasury Keith Muhakanizi let the cat out of the bag in an attempt to account for supplementary budget allocations and general finances in regards to the oil cash. He However said the payment could have been erroneous.
//Cue in: "It can happen…
Cue out:…the accounting officers"//
Rujumbura County MP Fred Tumuhiirwe Turyamuweza states that it is an anomaly for two government bodies to pay the same company differently in the same matter.
//Cue in: "What we found…
Cue out:…payment was made"//
Committee chairperson Abdu Katuntu said the probe committee would find out the fact through summoning the officers involved to clearly explain the payments.
