By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
Entebe: Uganda has reinforced its rising influence in Africa’s minerals sector after the Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development (Minerals), Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, officially launched the PanAfGeo Training on Communication and Dialogue in Geoscience at K Hotels, Entebbe on Monday.
The three-day programme, running from Monday to Wednesday, is part of the PanAfGeo+ Work Package 8 (WP8) initiative aimed at strengthening geoscience communication, public engagement, and data accessibility across the continent. It brings together 21 technical participants from African Geological Surveys, supported by the European Commission and implemented by EuroGeoSurveys (EGS), the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), and the French Geological Survey (BRGM).
Although the Permanent Secretary, Eng. Irene Batebe, did not attend, she delegated Dr. Fred Alex Tugume, Acting Commissioner Geological Surveys Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, who delivered her remarks during the opening session.
Nyamutoro: Uganda Now Setting the Pace in Regional Minerals Leadership
While addressing journalists, Hon. Nyamutoro said the training comes at a time when Uganda is asserting leadership in Africa’s minerals sector, thanks to deliberate policy reforms championed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“With correct, accessible and sustainably reliable data, mineral information becomes easier to relay to the people and also attracts investment for exploration and development,” she noted.
Nyamutoro emphasized that Uganda is one of the seven window countries selected for this advanced geoscience communication programme, positioning the country at the forefront of continental mineral governance.
She added that Uganda’s rise has been made possible partly because of the President’s “visionary decision to halt the export of raw minerals,” which is compelling investors to add value locally and stimulating domestic industries.
Uganda, she said, “now boasts of about 53 verified minerals,” including strategic rare earths and critical minerals essential for global technologies like electric vehicles, semiconductors, renewable energy, defence, and telecommunications.
Uganda’s Mineral Sector: Research-Based Snapshot
Overall Contribution to the Economy.
The minerals sector continues to grow as a core pillar of Uganda’s industrialisation agenda.
- The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) estimates that the sector contributes 2–3% to GDP, but its potential value is projected at over 10% with full-scale beneficiation and value addition.
- In FY2023/24, non-traditional mineral exports — especially gold, tin, tungsten, cobalt, iron ore and rare earth elements — generated over USD 1.2 billion in foreign exchange earnings, driven mostly by gold refining.
Major Gains & Achievements
- Strengthened Regulatory Environment
Uganda enacted the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, which modernises licensing, transparency, environmental protection and value-addition requirements. - Ban on Export of Raw Minerals
This has attracted new investments in smelting, refining and processing facilities, particularly in gold, iron ore, tin, and phosphates. - Geological Data Modernisation
The Geological Survey and Mines Department has been digitizing mineral data, implementing airborne geophysical surveys, and strengthening research through partnerships like PanAfGeo+. - Growth in Critical Minerals Exploration
Uganda is now mapped among African countries with rare earth potential (e.g., in Busoga region), vermiculite, graphite, nickel and uranium. - Regional Recognition and Leadership
Last week, Mr. Gabriel Data, Uganda’s Assistant Commissioner for Geology, was elected President of the Pan-African Geological Surveys (OAGS) — a key continental authority — with his term beginning January 2026. This cements Uganda’s growing diplomatic influence in the minerals and geoscience sector.
Threats and Challenges Facing the Mineral Sector
- Illegal Mining & Smuggling
The country still battles unlicensed artisanal mining, gold smuggling networks and loss of revenue. - Underfunding of Geological Mapping
Uganda has only 30–40% of its territory comprehensively mapped at modern geoscientific standards — limiting investor confidence. - Environmental Degradation
Mineral-rich areas such as Karamoja, Buhweju and Mubende face deforestation, water pollution, land conflicts and unsafe mining methods. - Weak Enforcement Capacity
The Minerals Police and inspectorate units remain understaffed, limiting oversight. - Global Market Volatility
Prices of strategic minerals fluctuate dramatically, affecting long-term revenue forecasting.
Future Projections & Opportunities
Experts estimate that with strategic investment and full-scale implementation of value addition:
- Uganda’s mineral sector could contribute 7–10% of GDP by 2030.
- The country could become a regional hub for gold refining, iron and steel production, rare earth processing, and battery minerals.
- Job creation is projected to surpass 500,000 direct and indirect opportunities within the next 10 years.
- Government projects mineral revenues to exceed USD 2.5 billion annually if current reforms — especially the ban on raw exports — are strictly enforced.
PanAfGeo Training: Strengthening Africa–EU Cooperation
According to the PanAfGeo+ WP8 information sheet, the training focuses on:
- Understanding audiences & crafting clear geoscience messages
- Engaging communities, media and policymakers
- Storytelling, crisis communication and addressing misinformation
- Developing Return-to-Work communication plans for African Geological Surveys
This makes the Entebbe event one of the continent’s most strategic capacity-building interventions aimed at transforming how geological information is communicated to the public and decision-makers.
Conclusion
The launch of the PanAfGeo communication training in Entebbe signals a major shift in Uganda’s minerals agenda — from traditional extraction to data-driven governance, value addition, international leadership, and strategic positioning in the global minerals transition.
With Uganda now chairing OAGS from 2026 and implementing some of Africa’s strongest mineral policies, the country is set to remain a central player in shaping the future of critical minerals on the continent.
