The Mubende United Miners Assembly (MUMA) has celebrated the acquisition of a Small-Scale Mining License (SML 00575) from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) with a colorful event in Bukuya Town Council, Kassanda District.
The five-year license authorizes MUMA to conduct small-scale gold mining on 100.8 hectares of land in Bukuya. Originally issued on June 25, 2025, it is the fourth of eight small-scale mining licenses granted by the ministry to date.
The celebration brought together government officials, miners’ associations, civil society partners and local leaders to acknowledge a milestone that marks a new chapter for Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) community.
John Bosco Bukya, Chairman of MUMA and the Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (UGAASM), described the license as a turning point for artisanal miners nationwide.
“After years of struggling to formalize, we are here to celebrate – not to complain,” he said. “This license signifies that artisanal miners have finally been recognized as legitimate players in Uganda’s mineral development.”
He recalled the miners’ difficult past, especially the August 4, 2017 eviction in which hundreds of artisanal miners were ordered to vacate mining areas within two hours.
“We left behind everything—our equipment, our homes, our belongings. But that moment of despair became a blessing in disguise,” he said. “It forced us to organize, think big, and today we stand strong as MUMA—legally recognized by the Government of Uganda.”
Bukya also recounted the long struggle for justice, moving from office to office—including the President’s Office, the Solicitor General, the Inspector General of Police, and the Prime Minister’s Office—until President Museveni directed that artisanal miners be allocated 30% of the area from which they had been evicted.
Supplementing his remarks, MUMA General Secretary Emmanuel Kibirige noted that MUMA originated as a social movement advocating for miners' rights before formalizing into a registered organization.
Government Applauds the Milestone
Agnes Alaba, Commissioner for the Department of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM), represented the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa.
She congratulated MUMA for meeting all legal, financial and technical requirements under the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022.
“This event marks a crucial milestone in our efforts to formalize Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector,” Alaba said.
She noted that Kassanda and the Greater Mubende region are historically central to gold production, making MUMA’s license particularly significant.
Alaba highlighted that artisanal mining is a major employer, with over 60% of Uganda’s mining workforce engaged in ASM. The new legal framework aims to transform the sector into a regulated and productive segment of the economy. To date, government has issued eight small-scale and one artisanal mining license.
She also cited ongoing biometric registration of miners, with 7,500 registered nationwide—including 2,400 in Kassanda. Training programs and benchmarking visits, such as last year’s study tour to Tanzania, are part of efforts to promote best practices.
Alaba emphasized that formalization will increase national revenue and contribute to Uganda’s Tenfold Growth Strategy, which aims to grow the economy from USD 50 billion to USD 500 billion by 2040.
She noted that the license allows MUMA to participate in the Bank of Uganda’s Domestic Gold Purchase Program, which buys gold exclusively from licensed miners.
“With the right support, small-scale mining can be a major driver of economic transformation,” she said.
Local Leaders Celebrate Progress
Kassanda Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Phoebe Namulindwa hailed the license as a historic milestone.
“Kassanda is blessed with natural wealth, and it is our collective duty to ensure that these resources benefit our people and contribute to national growth,” she said.
She urged miners to maintain unity and operate responsibly, praising President Museveni’s longstanding support for artisanal miners.
Bukuya County MP Dr. Michael K. Bukenya congratulated MUMA on setting a new standard for organized mining groups.
“MUMA is made up of achievers who never back down. What lies ahead cannot scare us – we are only getting started,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of balancing profits with environmental and social responsibility, urging investment in safe water, education and infrastructure. He also highlighted Bukuya’s rapid growth fueled by mining activity, though challenges such as electricity and poor road networks persist.
Partners Encourage Continuous Transformation
Solidaridad Senior Project Officer Joshua Rukundo congratulated MUMA and government for advancing sector formalization.
“MUMA’s success should inspire other artisanal miners across Uganda—in Busia, Buhweju and Karamoja—to follow suit,” he said.
Edward Ndirangu, Program Manager at The Impact Facility, described the license as “only the beginning.”
“Now comes the hard work—consolidating your operations, setting internal rules, and ensuring sustainability,” he noted.
The Impact Facility plans to extend machinery leasing and training programs to Uganda, including its "Mine Your Own Business" academy.
Ndirangu emphasized ASM’s economic importance, noting that it employs 20 times more people than large-scale mining and retains over 80% of earnings within local communities.
The celebration in Bukuya marked the recognition of years of struggle, organization and resilience by Uganda’s artisanal miners. It also reinforced government and partner commitment to ensuring that mineral resources contribute directly to inclusive national growth.
Commissioner Alaba said, “We want Ugandans to progress—from artisanal to mechanized, from small-scale to medium and then large-scale mining. This can only happen if we all work together.”
MUMA Chairman Bukya echoed the sentiment.
“Many dismissed artisanal miners as incapable. But this license proves otherwise. We are just setting off—expect great things ahead.”