Business 16 September 2026 Nile Post
Minister Urges Artisanal Miners to Embrace Legality Ahead of Annual Conference
State Minister for Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, has called on artisanal and small-scale miners in Uganda to adhere to mining laws and regulations. This appeal comes as the nation prepares for the 15th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference and Expo 2026, focusing on enhancing the sector's organization and investment appeal. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/371083/minister-nyamutoro-urges-artisanal-miners-to-comply-with-mining-laws
Minister of State for Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, has emphasized the critical importance of artisanal and small-scale miners complying with Uganda’s mining laws. She stated that the government’s aim is not to displace these miners but rather to support them in operating legally, safely, and productively.
Nyamutoro made these remarks in anticipation of the 15th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference and Expo 2026. The event, co-organized by the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, is scheduled for September 29-30 at Speke Resort Munyonyo. The conference will convene a wide array of stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, investors, and development partners.
Under the theme “Beneath the Surface: Unlocking Africa’s Next Mining Powerhouse,” the conference will explore avenues for investment, exploration, value addition, and sustainable development within Uganda’s mineral sector. The Minister highlighted that Uganda possesses over 58 categories of minerals, offering significant potential for industrialization and economic growth. Recent high-resolution aeromagnetic surveys have further identified promising areas for mineral exploration.
Key strategic minerals identified include rare earth elements, gold, iron ore, phosphates, graphite, cobalt, copper, lithium, coltan, and others. The government’s overarching goal is to cultivate a competitive and responsible mining sector that attracts investment and ensures that economic benefits are retained within Uganda. Compliance with mining legislation is deemed central to achieving this vision, particularly in formalizing artisanal mining and improving sector-wide safety and environmental practices.
The conference is poised to be a crucial platform for discussing challenges and opportunities across the entire mineral value chain. UCEM Chairperson Aggrey Ashaba noted that the event aims to shift the focus from mere extraction to processing and the creation of finished goods, emphasizing national participation and local industrialization.
Previous conferences have attracted over 1,000 delegates from more than 52 countries, fostering significant investment and business linkages. Minister Nyamutoro urged that this year’s event should build on this momentum, focusing on translating Uganda’s mineral wealth into tangible economic benefits through investment, value addition, job creation, and increased local business involvement. For artisanal miners, compliance offers a path to formalization and improved access to essential resources like finance and technology. Ultimately, the conference will examine how Uganda can strengthen its mineral value chain to drive industrialization and socio-economic transformation, with legal compliance and responsible mining as cornerstones of future development.