The government has announced a plan to construct one of the regional mineral markets and buying centers in Busia to help miners markets their products.
Agnes Alaba, the commissioner in-charge of the mineral department in the ministry of energy and minerals, told a consultative meeting for gold miners on Thursday that they want to make the miners’ products globally competitive.
She revealed that the government has developed a plan to set up regional markets for minerals and are now consulting the miners on the best way it can be done that both the government and miners can benefit.
The ministry is to first prioritise the construction of such a market in Busia where there’s gold mining including in the neighbouring districts like Namayingo.
According to Alaba, all artisanal gold miners must make sure they get mining licenses so that they may not be affected by the program.
Tusingwire Julius Ceaser, the assistant commissioner of mineral police, said that they are ready to provide necessity security in the sector by curbing illegal acts.
Stephen Mugeni Wasike, the current Busia LCV chairman who represented the gold miners, welcomed the ideal of constructing the markets as it will boost their businesses and urged government to ensure it devotes a certain percentage to develop the district where mining is taking place.
According to Mugeni, they want Busia Municipality to be elevated to gold city because it has gold in most of the sub-counties-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
