Heritage Oil has considered the ruling dated 23 November 2011 of the Tax Appeals Tribunal in Uganda dismissing the application of its wholly-owned subsidiary Heritage Oil & Gas Limited. HOGL had challenged the Ugandan tax assessments on the disposal of HOGL's entire interests in Blocks 1 and 3A to Tullow Uganda Limited in July 2010.

HOGL has at all times disputed the jurisdiction of the Ugandan Courts and Tribunals, in view of the existence of valid and binding arbitration provisions in its Production Sharing Agreements with the Government of the Republic of Uganda. Furthermore, in the light of specialist advice received in Uganda, North America and the United Kingdom, Heritage and HOGL remain of the view that no tax was due or owing on the Sale. HOGL initiated arbitration proceedings in London with Government in May 2011 and has always maintained that this is the correct forum to settle disputes relating to the Sale.

As a result of the actions of the tax authorities in Uganda, HOGL and its advisers consider that it was compelled to take part in the Ugandan domestic process before the Tax Appeals Tribunal, notwithstanding HOGL's belief that arbitration, which is ongoing in London, is the correct forum to settle such disputes. The ruling from the Tax Appeals Tribunal in Uganda is part of the domestic process and is not final and determinative. HOGL will appeal the ruling, which it believes is fatally flawed in many respects, through the Ugandan court system commencing with the High Court and subsequently the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court if necessary.

Tags: Heritage Oil Corporation