By KT Reporter
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has finalised the drafting of the Building Substances Bill, a proposed law that seeks to formally regulate Uganda’s construction minerals such as sand, murram, and clay.
According to the Ministry, the Bill aims to establish a clear framework for licensing, fees, and levies for all companies and individuals engaged in the extraction and trade of these materials.
Government officials argue that the legislation will promote environmental protection and orderly resource use, while industry players warn it could drive up construction costs and sideline informal miners who dominate the booming sector.
Agnes Alaba, the Commissioner for Mines, confirmed that the draft is ready and will soon be presented to Cabinet for review and approval. She is optimistic that the move will enhance environmental protection and promote orderly extraction.
The proposed law aligns with the objectives of the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV), which prioritises sustainable exploitation, value addition, and commercialisation of Uganda’s extractive industry.
Historically, non-metallic or development minerals, including clay, murram, and sand, have remained largely outside Uganda’s formal mineral regulation framework. This gap, according to the Ministry, has led to widespread environmental degradation, unsafe mining practices, and loss of government revenue.
Eng. Irene Pauline Bateebe, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said the Bill is designed to close this loophole by requiring all entities involved in the extraction of building materials to be licensed and compliant with environmental standards.
“The legislation will ensure the sector is regulated in a way that balances environmental protection with the growing demand for construction materials,” Bateebe explained.
However, the proposal has raised concerns among small-scale miners and communities that depend on artisanal extraction for their livelihoods. Charles Oloo, a miner from Tiira Town Council in Busia District, said the government has made little effort to engage local miners in the process.
“This law is already at an advanced stage, yet little or no consultation has been made with those of us directly involved in extraction,” Oloo said, adding that many families rely on the trade for daily survival.
The debate over the new regulatory framework comes as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Union (EU) continue supporting Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector under the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme.
In October 2024, UNDP Resident Representative Nwanne Vwede-Obahor underscored the urgent need to tackle the financial challenges constraining ASM enterprises, such as limited access to credit, high interest rates, and lack of collateral.
“Development minerals like limestone, clay, and sand account for 84 per cent of global mineral production and are essential for construction, agriculture, and manufacturing,” Vwede-Obahor noted.
“The sector employs nearly 400,000 Ugandans and contributes over $350 million annually to the economy.” She emphasised the importance of “de-risking financing” for artisanal miners by creating a supportive financial ecosystem, promoting training in sustainable mining, and collaborating with financial institutions to develop affordable credit facilities and risk-sharing mechanisms.
In Uganda, more than 80 per cent of development mineral production remains labour-intensive and community-driven, serving as a lifeline for construction and agriculture.
If passed, the Building Substances Bill is expected to formalise these operations, introduce accountability, and balance economic opportunity with environmental and social responsibility, marking a significant step toward a more sustainable construction minerals sector.
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