The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) has extended a sensitization campaign for Mineral Markets and Buying Centres Regulations, 2026 to the Districts of Kassanda, Mubende, Hoima, Kiboga and Kyankwanzi .
The Consultative workshop held in Kassanda District on 26th May, 2026 aims at establishing a structured, transparent, and efficient system for the formation of buying centres, licensing of mineral dealers, and the sale and disposal of minerals, piloting particularly with gold, tin, and gemstones.
The Kassanda brought together Government Entities and Agencies, Mineral Dealers and Buyers, Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) Associations, Mining Companies, Processors and Refiners, Development Partners and Civil Society Organizations, Financial Institutions, Academia among other stakeholders.
Addressing participants, Ms Agnes Alaba, the Commissioner Mines reassured stakeholders that the government aims to create a balanced operational environment where both miners and investors can thrive under a regulated and fair system.
Alaba expressed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the mining industry becomes more organized, transparent, secure and beneficial to all actors in the mineral value chain.
Alaba who also represented the MEMD Permanent Secretary Eng. Irene. Bateebe said given the significant impact these regulations will have on the operations of mineral dealers, miners, processors, and exporters, the government is adopting a participatory and inclusive approach to their finalization.
‘’The draft regulations is aimed at addressing a range of persistent challenges, that affects the sector including : Informal Trade for miners, resulting in exploitation by middlemen and inconsistent pricing mechanism, Lack of transparency making it difficult to track mineral production, ensure fair trade and curb illicit activities such as smuggling, tax evasion, and money laundering, and lost government revenue due to unregulated transactions and undervaluation of mineral exports’, said Alaba.
She added that through these regulations, the government aims to: Establish mineral markets and buying centres, Prescribe the requirements for establishment of the mineral markets and buying Centres, Prescribe the operations of the mineral markets and buying centres.
Grace L . Nassuna , the assistant commissioner Geoscience stated that these regulations are one of the tools to achieve organization, formalization and regulation of mineral trade for high value commodities. Nassuna said this contributes to the Department and Ministry’s targets and the entire sector’s contribution to sustainable socio-economic development.
On behalf of the local leadership, Kassanda Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mr Mike Ssegawa said transparency, fair trade, value addition, and ethical practices, mineral markets will empower miners, attract investors, and drive sustainable economic growth.
Ssegawa said this will be achieved through collaboration from everyone including miners, traders, policymakers, and stakeholders alike.
Loyola Karobwa, MEMD’s Senior legal officer, highlighted that with the rising demand for gold, tin and other critical metals, formalized markets can help countries like Uganda tap into this demand by encouraging traceability, certification, and value addition. Loyola added that the initiative aligns with the rising demand for sustainable and responsible sourced minerals. She added that the establishment of mineral markets and buying centers will spur the social economic transformation and is a significant step towards formalizing mineral trade, enhancing transparency, and increasing government revenue.
