KASSANDA — Kassanda District Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mike Ssegawa, has urged miners and stakeholders in the mineral sector to embrace transparency and comply with the newly introduced Minerals Markets and Buying Centres regulations.
Ssegawa made the remarks during a high-level consultative workshop held at Bukuya Town Council in Kassanda District, bringing together Resident District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers, District Police Commanders, elected leaders, miners, gold dealers, and representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
The meeting attracted participants from Kassanda, Mubende, Kyankwanzi, Kiboga, and Hoima districts, with discussions focusing on the implementation of the new regulations aimed at streamlining Uganda’s mineral trade and combating illegal mining activities.
Speaking at the workshop, Commissioner for Mines Agnes Alana said the proposed mineral markets and buying centres would operate as one-stop hubs intended to attract both local and foreign investment into Uganda’s mining industry.
She noted that the centres are expected to enhance transparency, improve pricing systems, and protect investors and miners from exploitation, fraud, and illicit financial flows.
“Minerals markets and buying centres promote fair prices, transparency, and security against exploitation, illicit financial flows, and fraud in the minerals trade,” Alana said.
She added that government is also prioritizing value addition to ensure Uganda earns more from its mineral resources instead of exporting raw minerals.
Ssegawa echoed the Commissioner’s message, emphasizing that the regulations are intended to create a fair, transparent, and well-regulated working environment for everyone involved in the mining sector.
Kassanda has now been officially designated among Uganda’s key mineral markets and buying centres, alongside Busia, Karamoja, and Buhweju. The district is expected to serve as a major trading hub for gold, tin, and gemstones — a move anticipated to boost local economic activity and create employment opportunities for surrounding communities.
The consultations form part of the government’s wider efforts to formalize artisanal and small-scale mining, curb mineral smuggling, and ensure mineral-rich districts benefit from organized and transparent trading systems.
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