Kampala, Uganda – Solidaridad, a global network organization, has launched a campaign to promote decent work, occupational health and safety, and eliminate child labor in Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
The initiative is part of the Reclaim Sustainability! Gold Project, which aims to foster responsible gold mining practices and improve livelihoods of mining communities.
According to Solidaridad, the ASM sector in Uganda faces significant challenges, including unsafe working conditions, informal employment structures, and persistent child labor.
The campaign seeks to raise awareness, advocate for policy reforms, and encourage stakeholders to invest in sustainable and ethical mining practices.
Many miners in Uganda’s ASM sector work under hazardous conditions, exposing themselves to inadequate safety equipment, chemicals like mercury and sodium cyanide, and unstable mining structures.
The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the human cost of unsafe mining and advocate for practical interventions to protect workers’ rights and well-being.
Child labor is a significant concern in Uganda’s ASM sector, with children being deprived of education and exposed to hazardous work.
The campaign promotes creating safe spaces for children, access to education, and alternative livelihoods for families that rely on mining.
Call to Action
Solidaridad is calling on all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, media practitioners, and private sector actors, to join in advocating for a safer, fairer ASM sector in Uganda.
By working together, Solidaridad believes that it is possible to create a more sustainable and equitable mining industry that benefits all stakeholders.
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