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By Andrew Irumba
Busia, Uganda–The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has launched a two-day high-level stakeholder consultation workshop in Busia District aimed at shaping Uganda’s proposed Mining and Minerals (Mineral Markets and Buying Centres) Regulations, 2026, a major reform expected to formalize and streamline the country’s rapidly growing mineral trade sector.
The workshop, held from May 7th to 8th, 2026, at JLM Hotel, Busia, brought together government officials, miners, dealers, investors, local leaders, civil society actors, development partners and security agencies to deliberate on the future framework governing mineral buying centres and mineral markets across Uganda.
The meeting was officially opened on behalf of MEMD Permanent Secretary Eng. Irene P. Bateebe by Acting Commissioner for Mines Agnes Alaba, who conveyed government’s commitment to ensuring that the mining industry becomes more organized, transparent, secure and beneficial to all actors in the mineral value chain.
In her message, Bateebe reassured stakeholders, especially mining communities in Busia and surrounding districts, that government intends to create a balanced operational environment where both miners and investors can thrive under a regulated and fair system.
“The Government of Uganda is committed to streamlining operational procedures in the minerals sector for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders,” Bateebe stated in remarks delivered by Alaba.
She further revealed that government is strengthening the Minerals Protection Unit of Uganda Police to enhance security within mining areas and trading centres. The ministry also disclosed plans to establish a modern gold market centre in Busia, similar to the already operational facility in Ntungamo-Ruhaama, in a move aimed at improving traceability, trade efficiency and safety for mineral dealers and artisanal miners.
The consultations come at a critical time when Uganda’s mineral sector is experiencing unprecedented growth, especially in gold exports, yet continues to face challenges associated with informal trade, smuggling, inconsistent pricing systems, exploitation by middlemen and limited traceability mechanisms.
Addressing participants during the workshop, Minerals Police Commandant ACP Julius Caesar Tusingwire assured investors and dealers of government protection, emphasizing that security agencies are prepared to safeguard legitimate mineral business operations.
“We will secure our working environment. We will provide escort police patrols to those who opt for them. We shall also help in recommending private security companies in case one needs them for protection,” Tusingwire said.
The workshop, facilitated jointly by MEMD and the German development agency GIZ, attracted more than 200 participants from Busia, Bugiri, Namayingo and other mineral-rich districts.
Among the key presentations was a detailed overview of the implementation framework for Uganda’s proposed mineral markets delivered by Commissioner Agnes Alaba, while Senior Legal Officer Loyola Karobwa unpacked the legal provisions under the Mining and Minerals Act, Cap 159 governing mineral markets and buying centres.
Assistant Commissioner Geoscience Grace Nassuna presented the proposed mineral market information systems and traceability mechanisms, while GIZ representative Henry Mukasa addressed regional compliance requirements under the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) framework.
Uganda’s Mining Sector Journey
Uganda’s mining sector has undergone significant transformation over the last decade following renewed government focus on mineral exploration, regulation and value addition.
The country possesses vast deposits of gold, tin, tungsten, copper, cobalt, iron ore, phosphates, rare earth elements, marble and gemstones, among others. However, for years, the sector remained largely informal, characterized by artisanal operations, weak market systems and rampant illegal trade.
Recognizing the sector’s economic potential, government introduced the Mining and Minerals Policy of 2018 to guide reforms aimed at increasing transparency, attracting investment and ensuring sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.
The enactment of the Mining and Minerals Act, Cap 159, further laid a stronger legal foundation for sector governance, granting powers to regulate mineral marketing, licensing and mineral buying operations.
According to MEMD, the draft Mining and Minerals (Mineral Markets and Buying Centres) Regulations, 2026 seek to operationalize those legal provisions by establishing structured mineral trading centres and licensing systems for dealers and exporters.
Government believes the reforms will address critical bottlenecks affecting the sector, including illicit mineral trade, tax evasion, under-declaration of exports, money laundering and exploitation of artisanal miners.
The regulations are also expected to improve pricing mechanisms, strengthen mineral traceability and align Uganda’s mineral trade practices with international standards and regional protocols.
Stakeholders attending the Busia consultations emphasized the need for regulations that not only enhance compliance but also protect local communities and artisanal miners who dominate the sector.
Local leaders welcomed government’s decision to conduct regional consultations, describing the approach as inclusive and necessary for building confidence among mining communities.
The Busia engagement forms part of a wider national consultation process expected to culminate into a revised draft of the regulations before submission to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for final legal review.
Once finalized, the regulations are expected to significantly reshape Uganda’s mineral trade ecosystem and strengthen the country’s ambitions of becoming a regional mineral processing and trading hub.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/memd-launches-national-consultations-on-ugandas-new-mineral-markets-buying-centres-regulations-in-busia/
