By Deep Earth
Uganda’s artisanal and small scale miners (ASMs) will soon start having easier access to funding and markets, in addition to enjoying safer working conditions once their partnership with the Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC) takes effect.
These were the sentiments of Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNMC and two ASM organizations: the Mubende United Miners Assembly (MUMA) and the Buhweju District United Miners Cooperative Society (BUDUMICS).
“This MoU will help ASMs quantify their mineral resources, which will make their operations bankable, as such addressing their funding challenges,” Bateebe, who represented the minister, said.
Bateebe reaffirmed government’s commitment to using the mining sector – identified as a key driver under the National Development Plan IV – to transform lives and deliver economic impact.
Under the collaboration, ASM groups will contribute licensed mineral rights, organized labour, and local knowledge, while UNMC will provide technical expertise, access to finance, modern mining and processing technologies plus links to formal markets.
Priority areas include improved gold recovery, mercury-free processing, occupational health and safety plus environmental protection (HSE), value addition, traceability, and legal compliance.
Bateebe further framed the MoU as part of a broader mission to transform Uganda’s mining sector from potential to impact – a key target of the UNMC.
If successful, the partnership could redefine how Uganda harnesses its mineral wealth – placing communities, sustainability, and national development at the center of mining growth.
Established by the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, UNMC is mandated to manage government’s interests in the mining sector and ensure Uganda derives optimal value from its mineral wealth.
The Act has also formalized the operations of ASMs, who at over 300,000 (70,000 in gold mining alone) make up over 90% of miners in Uganda.
Both MUMA and BUDUMICS have since acquired small scale mining licenses this year under the new law.
“Our partnership is in line with our mandate as it will help us promote safe, transparent, and environmentally responsible mining practices that support value addition, employment creation, and community development. It emphasizes the creation of sustainable mining models that can be replicated across the country,” said UNMC CEO, Dr. Gerald Banaga-Baingi.
He noted that although Uganda has had mineral resources for centuries, the country has yet to benefit optimally from them, like Tanzania is doing. For example, mining accounts for less than 2% of Uganda’s gross domestic product.
UNMC, he said, was the state’s response to enter the industry on sound commercial principles without distorting markets.
The UNMC board fully backs the partnership and views it as a test case for future collaborations with not only ASMs but other institutions, noted James Mukasa Ssebugenyi, the chairman.
Bukya and Dr Banaga-Baingi shake hands after the signing as Emmanuel Kibirige (L), MUMA General Secretary watches on
MUMA chairman John Bosco Bukya described the agreement as “momentous,” as it was the first tangible outcome of a partnership between government and ASMs.
Bukya, who also chairs the Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (UGAASM), noted that ASMs have long argued they could significantly contribute to Uganda’s economy if properly organized, legalized, and supported.
He highlighted how past challenges, including evictions, pushed miners to organize themselves more effectively, leading to the formation of stronger alliances such as MUMA.
“I am positive that the new model that will develop as a result of this partnership with the UNMC will be replicated by other investment-ready ASM groups under UGAASM, which will lead to improved gold production and higher incomes in the near future,” Bukya said.
(L-R) BUDUMICS legal officer Marion Atuhaire, Beinomugisha, Dr Banaga-Baingi, Lelia Bwambale, UNMC legal and corporate affairs head and Ssebugenyi
In addition to the UNMC collaboration, Deusdedit Beinomugisha, the chairman, BUDUMICS, wants to see even more collaboration with the state, noting that such backing is what has transformed China.
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