The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, through its Department of Mines, has unveiled a new strategy aimed at formalising and regulating the trade of high-value minerals in Uganda. The initiative, known as the Uganda Mineral Markets, will initially prioritise gold and tin as part of efforts to streamline the country’s mineral value chain.

Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Ntungamo District, the Commissioner of the Mines Department, Agnes Alaba, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, said the initiative is designed to promote transparency, regulatory compliance, and value addition in the mining sector. She noted that the programme will also help position Uganda as a country rich in mineral resources.

Alaba explained that the government is currently sensitising miners and industry players about the new mineral markets framework. The system will introduce a centralised trading platform that links miners, buyers, and refiners, ensuring a well-coordinated and traceable supply chain. According to her, the platform will play a critical role in improving market access, especially for artisanal and small-scale miners.

She added that many licensed artisanal miners struggle to sell their minerals due to limited market access, forcing some to operate informally. This has resulted in mineral smuggling across Uganda’s porous borders and low earnings for miners. The new mineral markets facility, she said, will integrate these miners into the formal economy and allow the government to regulate mineral pricing more effectively.

The initiative has been welcomed by mining stakeholders. Deusdedit Beinomugisha, the Chairperson of the Buhweju District United Miners Cooperative Society Limited, praised the government for enacting the Mining and Minerals Act 2022, saying the law has improved the operating environment for miners. However, he appealed for increased financial support to help artisanal miners scale up their activities.

Beinomugisha also urged the government to fast-track plans to allow minerals to be used as savings instruments at the Bank of Uganda, potentially replacing reliance on foreign currencies such as the US dollar.

Meanwhile, Fidelis Kiiza, the Ntungamo Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, called on artisanal miners to comply fully with the provisions of the Mining and Minerals Act 2022. He emphasised that adherence to the law would enable all stakeholders, miners, government, and investors, to benefit fairly from Uganda’s growing mining sector.

The Uganda Mineral Markets initiative is expected to strengthen mineral governance, curb illegal trade, and enhance revenue collection while improving livelihoods for miners across the country.