Kabale Leaders Demand Enhanced Community Benefits from Yogi Steel Mining Project

Leaders in Kabale District are advocating for stronger community benefits from Yogi Steel Limited’s planned iron ore mining operations in Kicumbi Parish, Kamuganguzi Sub-county. During a recent meeting at the company’s processing plant, district officials and stakeholders reviewed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and discussed the project’s potential impacts.

Key proposals put forth by the Kabale District Executive Committee and the Local Economic Development and Investment Committee include the development of a thorough resettlement plan for families displaced by the mining activities, with fair compensation to follow. They also emphasized the need for Yogi Steel to contribute more significantly to local infrastructure through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Specific amendments suggested involve increasing the financial support for road maintenance, which in the draft MoU was set at Shs29 million. Additionally, the leaders proposed lowering the age requirement for elderly beneficiaries of the company’s support programs from 70 to 60 years old, thereby expanding the number of local residents who can receive assistance.

Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe further requested that Yogi Steel consider donating essential road construction machinery, such as an excavator or bulldozer. He believes this gesture would substantially aid the district’s infrastructure development efforts and leave a lasting positive legacy.

Kabale LCV Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe expressed optimism about the project’s potential to alleviate pressure on the district’s budget by addressing critical local infrastructure needs through a robust CSR program. The iron ore mining project is anticipated to generate employment, foster local business growth, and stimulate industrial activity within the region.

Source: Nile Post