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By Andrew Irumba
The Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has successfully concluded a week-long community sensitization campaign across the districts of Bududa, Manafwa, and Mbale, setting the stage for an extensive geological mapping exercise scheduled to commence on May 6, 2026.
The initiative, implemented through the Geological Survey Department in partnership with the Uganda PanAfGeo+ Country Window Project, focused on mobilizing communities and raising awareness about the upcoming field activities. The campaign was designed to prepare local populations to actively cooperate with technical teams that will be deployed across the region in the coming weeks.
Officials confirmed that the geological mapping exercise will run for three weeks, ending on May 27, 2026, and forms part of a broader four-year program aimed at strengthening Uganda’s geoscientific capacity.
Speaking on the significance of the exercise, Dr. Alex Fred Tugume, Acting Commissioner of the Geological Survey Department, emphasized that the activity is still at a preliminary stage but carries far-reaching implications for the country’s mineral sector.
“The main goal of geological mapping is to produce a detailed map of the study area and interpret the three-dimensional structure of the terrain, incorporating all relevant data such as the types and ages of rocks, and the locations and orientations of faults and folds. These maps are essential for identifying areas rich in valuable minerals,” Tugume explained.
He added that the mapping will involve systematic investigation and analysis of locations with known ore deposits, ultimately providing a comprehensive geological understanding that could guide future extraction and investment decisions.
The sensitization drive was spearheaded by Mr. Marimira Edward, a Senior Geologist in the Geological Survey Department. He was supported by DGSM Communications Officer, Prince Ronnie Mukombe, alongside PanAfGeo+ Sensitization Officer, Victoria Kiwanuka, who coordinated a range of outreach activities.
The activities included courtesy visits to district headquarters, community meetings, public barazas, radio talk shows, church engagements, establishment of information points, selection of local focal persons, and distribution of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.
Authorities noted that sensitization will remain an ongoing process throughout the mapping phase to ensure sustained community engagement and cooperation.
PanAfGeo+ is a European Union-funded flagship initiative aimed at enhancing geoscientific knowledge and institutional capacity across Africa. In Uganda, the Country Window Project focuses on strengthening the Geological Survey Department’s ability to generate, manage, and utilize geological data for sustainable resource development.
The project is particularly aligned with promoting responsible management of critical raw materials, which are increasingly vital for global industrial and technological advancement. It also seeks to deepen collaboration between European and African geoscience institutions, fostering knowledge exchange, technical training, and long-term partnerships.
Through capacity building, field mapping, and community engagement, PanAfGeo+ is expected to play a pivotal role in improving Uganda’s mineral resource governance, attracting investment in the extractives sector, and supporting evidence-based policy formulation.
As the mapping exercise begins, stakeholders remain optimistic that the initiative will unlock new geological insights while positioning Uganda as a key player in the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources within the region.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/panafgeo-dgsm-launch-major-geological-mapping-campaign-in-eastern-uganda/
