As part of efforts to catch up with defaulters, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has published a list of mineral license holders who have not paid fees for mineral exploration, development and production.

The list indicates that fees for 174 exploration, location, retention and mining licenses have not been paid amounting to eight hundred and fifty million shillings (USD257,000). The list contains both individuals and companies, with many of the companies holding multiple licenses.

Some of the companies named included Hima Cement, which owes a paltry forty thousand shillings, Kilembe mines with seven million eight hundred thousand shillings, Capital Ventures International which owes one hundred forty six million shillings for eight exploration licenses, WestCorp Mining Limited that holds eight exploration licenses and has not remitted seventy two million shillings, and East African Mining Limited that owes eighteen million shillings for twelve exploration.

Joseph Okedi, Acting Principal Inspector of Mines at the Geological Survey and Mines Department told Oil in Uganda that the mining companies had been given three weeks to settle their accounts or lose their licenses.

"This is the final call, those who will not clear their dues shall be deregistered and we create space for other investors," he warned.

However some of the companies contacted by Oil in Uganda denied defaulting on the fees, accusing the Energy Ministry of publishing lies.

Fred Kyakonyo, the Chief Executive at Kilembe Mines Limited said his company does not owe government any money, and insists that they were included by mistake. Capital Ventures International denied receiving any warning from the Ministry and declined to comment further.

But Okedi maintains that every company and individual on the list owes government money, adding that government will use all available means to recover the funds.