Mining

Banaga-Baingi Is National Mining Company CEO

Dr Gerald Banaga-Baingi

Dr Gerald Banaga-Baingi, the Assistant Commissioner, Technical Planning at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, will serve as acting chief executive officer (CEO) at Uganda’s newly formed National Mining Company (NMC) until a substantive CEO is appointed.

Ruth Nankabirwa, the Energy Minister, communicated his nomination at a recent event where she shared a sector update.

Banaga-Baingi is not new to the NMC, having initially been announced as the team leader of a transition team of experts charged with operationalizing the company by providing technical, managerial and secretarial support to the board.

The transition team also has Chris Lubangakene an Assistant Commissioner-Laboratories, who shares metallurgical insights; David Ssebagala, a senior inspector who serves as a mining engineer; Edward Maramira, a senior geologist who offers geologist services, Loyola Karobwa, a mining lawyer under the Energy Ministry and Agnes Katembeko, a principal procurement officer to advise on procurement.

Others are Helenah Nyangoma, a human resource professional and Winnie Nabukenya offering administrative support.

An energy specialist, Banaga-Baingi, who has served the Energy Ministry for more than 24 years, has recently been associated with the Energy Policy Review (2023) and the drafting of Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP), a strategic roadmap for the development and modernization of Uganda’s energy sector – serving as team leader in both projects.

Taking Shape

In November 2024, the board of directors of the NMC were officially inaugurated, with James Mukasa Ssebugenyi, announced as chairperson and deputized by James Byagaba.

Other members include Francis Twinamatsiko (representing the Finance Ministry), Dr. Alex Kwatampora Binego, Wilfred Kokas Aupal and John Fisher Kanyemibwa.

Kevin Aanyu, Agnes Alaba (also the Commissioner of the Mines Department) and Maria Kiwanuka, the former Finance Minister, are also members of the board as per the tenets of the law, which states that at least one third shall be women.

(L-R) Ssebugenyi, Phiona Nyamutoro, the State Minister for Mineral Development, Byagaba and Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary, MEMD

Established under Section 21 of the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, the main purpose of the NMC is to serve as a commercial vehicle through which the state will execute national participation in the mining industry.

The company is also expected to partner with the private sector to optimize government revenue from mining proceeds as well as ensure that mineral resources are exploited in a way that supports sustainable economic growth and development.

The company will hold the state’s share in all large scale or medium scale mining licences – which stake is granted by the mining law that gives the government an ownership interest, at no cost, of up to a maximum of 15% in a licensed private enterprise.

The NMC is likely to put this clause in practice starting with the Kilembe copper mines concession, which is expected to be taken over by the Sarrai Group soon.

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Deep Earth
Deep Earth International critically examines developments in the extractive and energy sectors in Uganda and the wider East African region. Drawing from the vast experience of its founders who have each covered and written about these sectors for at least fifteen years, this website is the go-to platform for anyone seeking to get a better understanding of the same.

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