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By Spy Uganda
Kaabong District—The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has taken decisive action to halt illegal gold mining operations in Loyoro Sub-county, Kaabong District, following a fatal pit collapse that left three artisanal miners buried alive, underscoring the deadly consequences of Uganda’s illegal gold rushes.
A high-level joint enforcement and inspection team comprising of officials from the Ministry’s Mines Department, the Police Mineral Protection Unit (PMPU), and Kaabong District leadership descended on Nariwose Village on April 27, 2026, to conduct an urgent fact-finding mission and restore order at the chaotic mining site.
The delegation included the Karamoja Regional Inspector of Mines, Mr. Gerald Eneku, PMPU officers led by ASP Kidega, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Deputy RDC, LC V Chairperson, the Officer in Charge of Kaabong Police Station, and local councillors from Loyoro Sub-county.
Investigations on ground confirmed that three miners perished when makeshift pits collapsed during frantic excavation activities triggered by a recent gold discovery. By the time of the inspection, only one body had been retrieved, while efforts to recover the remaining two were still underway.
Authorities described the situation as dire, with between 2,000 and 3,000 people having converged at the site in a disorderly gold rush, overwhelming the area’s fragile environment and creating a ticking public health crisis.
Disturbingly, officials noted that school-going children outnumbered adults at the mining site, exposing minors to life-threatening conditions and raising serious child protection concerns.
Public Health Disaster Looms At Lawless Mining Camp
The inspection team uncovered appalling living conditions, including a complete absence of sanitation facilities and safe drinking water. Officials warned that the overcrowded and unsanitary environment could easily trigger disease outbreaks if left unchecked.
The site was operating entirely outside the legal framework, with no mining licenses issued, no safety protocols observed, and no environmental safeguards in place—confirming suspicions of widespread illegal exploitation.
Government Orders Immediate Closure And Evacuation
In a firm and coordinated response, the Commissioner of Mines ordered the immediate closure of the illegal mining site and directed that all miners vacate the area by 10:00 AM on April 28, 2026.
Authorities further instructed that the remaining bodies of the deceased must be retrieved before full evacuation, ensuring dignity for the victims and closure for affected families.
Additionally, the Ministry demanded comprehensive inspection reports covering both Nariwose and nearby Kakutatom villages, detailing the cause of the fatal collapse, recovery efforts, and enforcement actions undertaken.
Strict Warning Issued As Government Reasserts Control
The Ministry issued a stern warning against illegal mining, emphasizing that offenders face severe penalties, including fines of up to UGX 1 billion or imprisonment of up to seven years, or both.
Officials highlighted that unregulated mining not only endangers lives through pit collapses but also accelerates environmental degradation, including mercury contamination that threatens ecosystems and food security.
Gold buyers operating in the region were directed to formalize their activities through registration, while prospective miners were urged to follow legal procedures to obtain licenses if the area is confirmed to be economically viable.
The swift intervention signals government’s tightening grip on illegal mineral exploitation, particularly in Karamoja, where recurring gold rushes have increasingly drawn desperate populations into hazardous and unlawful ventures.
By shutting down the Loyoro operation, authorities have reasserted control, prioritizing human safety, environmental protection, and lawful resource management in the face of mounting pressure from informal mining activities.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/government-moves-swiftly-to-shut-down-deadly-kaabong-gold-rush-site-after-three-miners-buried-alive/
