Gold Export Law & Due Diligence in Uganda
Gold Export Law & Due Diligence in Uganda
Secure gold deals. Legally structured. Globally trusted. We help international buyers and sellers execute compliant, fraud-proof transactions from Uganda-end to end.
Table of Contents
About/Recommendation5-Step Buyer Safety Checklist
How to Export Gold from Uganda
Our Legal Services
Required Licenses & Documents
Common Red Flags
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Contacts
Book a Legal Consultation
Download Gold Deal Checklist (PDF)
About Nafuna & Co. Advocates
Nafuna & Co. Advocates is a licensed Ugandan law firm based in Entebbe, specialising in gold transactions, export compliance, and risk audits. We advise international buyers and sellers on secure gold deals, offering:
- 1. Legal due diligence on companies, licenses, and permits
- 2. Escrow structuring with licensed banks
- 3. Assay and authenticity verification with independent labs
- 4. Export documentation compliance (Mineral Dealer's License, Export Permit, customs clearance)
- 5. Anti-money laundering (AML) & Know Your Customer (KYC) checks
Located near Uganda's international airport and the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines, we operate at the final checkpoint where gold transactions are cleared for export.
5-Step Buyer Safety Checklist
1. Verify the Gold
Demand a recent assay report that names you and the exact quantity. Confirm it matches the physical gold.
2. Check Licenses
Seller must hold a valid Mineral Dealer's License and Export Permit. Cross-check on official portals where applicable.
3. Secure Storage Verification
Accept only SKRs from licensed, reputable vault/security firms, and verify the deposit independently.
4. Bank Account Authentication
Funds should go to an account in the name of the licensed entity, not third parties or personal accounts.
5. Get Legal Support Early
Avoid informal WhatsApp deals. Use reviewed contracts and independent escrow tied to a licensed bank.
HOW TO EXPORT GOLD FROM UGANDA
1. Counterparty Due Diligence:
Verify incorporation (URSB), TIN, trading license, directors/shareholders, PEP/sanctions status, and physical office.
2. SPA & Conditions:
Sign a Sale & Purchase Agreement with assay, payment, delivery, and governing law clearly stated.
3. Independent Assay:
Engage a recognised lab. Funds are placed in escrow; release only after assay confirms purity/weight.
4. Licensing & Permits:
Ensure valid Mineral Dealer's License and obtain an Export Permit; confirm royalty/tax payments and valuation documents.
5. Customs & Logistics:
Use licensed brokers/secure transport with full insurance and chain-of-custody records.
6. Settlement:
Upon positive assay and export clearance, escrow releases funds to seller as per SPA.
We can draft the SPA, structure escrow, coordinate assay, and manage export documentation end-to-end.
OUR LEGAL SERVICES
1. Contract Drafting & Review
Gold SPAs, escrow agreements, verification contracts, insurance clauses, and jurisdiction terms.
2. Escrow & Banking Liaison
Bank-based escrow structures; beneficiary verification; proof-of-funds and compliance coordination.
3. Assay & Verification
Independent labs, sample chain-of-custody, tamper-evident sealing, and video-witness protocols.
4. Export Compliance
Mineral Dealer's License, Export Permit, URA customs clearance, valuation certificates, taxes/royalties.
5. AML/KYC & Sanctions
Enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, and full audit trail for your home-jurisdiction reporting.
6. Dispute Response
Rapid legal action, account freezes (where possible), regulator liaison, and evidence preservation.
REQUIRED LICENSES & KEY DOCUMENTS
1. Mineral Dealer's License
Typically requires certified company documents, TIN, tax clearance, competence documentation, bank statements, certificate of good conduct, and portal registration.
2. Exporter's License & Export Permit
Assay must reflect buyer/seller names, date, weight, purity, and official stamps; cross-check serials with physical metal.
3. Assay & Verification
Independent labs, sample chain-of-custody, tamper-evident sealing, and video-witness protocols.
4. Tax & URA Clearances
URA receipts, royalty/VAT status (as applicable), and exporter's good standing; retain all documentation for audits.
5. Secure Storage & SKRs
Only accept SKRs from licensed reputable vaults; independently verify deposit, quantity, and ownership chain.
We provide a detailed checklist and can verify each document with the issuing authority or portal.
COMMON RED FLAGS
1. Urgent "today only" pricing
2. Payment to unrelated or offshore accounts
3. Resistance to legal counsel or assay
4. Unverifiable vault/SKR
5. Below-market offers
FAQ: ABOUT UGANDA GOLD TRANSACTIONS
Can funds be released before assay?
No. Use bank escrow and release only after an independent assay confirms purity and quantity as per the SPA.
Do I need a local lawyer?
Yes. Issues typically arise at the final mile (permits, customs, airport). Local counsel reduces risk and accelerates resolution.
Which documents matter most?
Valid dealer's license, export permit, independent assay, URA/tax receipts, and verified SKR from a licensed vault.
What about AML/KYC?
Screen counterparties for sanctions/PEP status; document source of funds and maintain a complete audit trail.
Ready to structure a secure gold transaction?
