By KT Reporter
Leaders and development stakeholders in West Nile have demanded that government conducts mapping of mineral sites in the region to create awareness among members of the public.
They say that it will enable districts to easily plan and offer support for smooth exploration process by engaging locals in areas where minerals are located.
They raised concerns over limited knowledge and information on available minerals in West Nile, seeking for special initiatives to inform public and explain on benefits to the region.
Adjumani District Vice Chairperson, Kaijuka Richard Arthur, noted that many leaders in the region are not aware of the mineral deposits that exists in West Nile.
He seeks for update on the mineral status in the country to ensure transparency and how districts are benefiting.
Much as assessments were previously conducted by government and partners, the leaders argue that failure to conduct specific mapping of mineral sites in the region limits them from information.
A baseline assessment of development minerals in Uganda was conducted by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2018 under ACP-EU (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, with support from the European Union) Development Minerals Programme.
Milton Kato, an official at Uganda Local Governments’ Association (ULGA), said that there is need to decentralize mapping of the minerals which now requires recruitment of Minerals Officers at local government level to manage the minerals.
By press time, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development was not available for comment. However, the former Department of Geological Surveys and Mines Department, under the ministry, in 2012 report indicated that West Nile had new potential targets for mineral exploration with potential minerals in the region.
The Department was renamed the Mineral Development Program under the recent rationalization of government’s departments and Agencies.
In the Financial Year 2026/2027 budget strategy, government plans to focus on four growth drivers which include mineral development under the ATMS (Agro-industrialisation, Tourism, Mineral Development and Science).
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