Artisanal tin miners in Isingiro District have received a major safety boost following the donation of personal protective equipment by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, in a move aimed at reducing accidents and improving working conditions.
For years, miners in the district have operated in dangerous conditions, navigating narrow, poorly supported tunnels with minimal protection. The new equipment is expected to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities that have long plagued the sector.
The donation, valued at millions of shillings, will benefit more than 300 artisanal miners. It includes helmets, gumboots, gloves, headlamps, water tanks, and first aid kits—basic gear that many miners previously lacked.
District leaders and beneficiaries welcomed the intervention, describing it as a lifeline for a sector that sustains thousands of livelihoods despite its risks.
Uganda’s artisanal and small-scale mining industry supports over two million people, particularly in rural areas. However, the largely informal nature of the sector exposes miners to hazards such as tunnel collapses and unsafe working environments.
Speaking on the challenges facing the sector, Kenneth Asiimwe, Executive Director of the Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small Scale Miners, criticised the licensing process, saying it is overly restrictive and excludes many miners.
He argued that excessive documentation requirements have made it difficult for artisanal miners to formalise their operations, pushing many into illegal mining and smuggling.
“Because of these barriers, many miners operate at night and resort to smuggling since they are not supported to mine responsibly,” Asiimwe said.
Officials from TIKA said the donation is part of broader efforts to support small-scale miners and improve safety standards in the sector.
“As TIKA, we are here to provide technical support and essential protective equipment to help safeguard your lives as you continue your work,” said Murat Cetin, the agency’s country director.
Local leaders said the intervention would not only protect lives but also improve the sustainability of mining activities in the district.
Leonard Ahimbisibwe, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Isingiro, expressed optimism that the equipment would transform working conditions for miners.
Meanwhile, district authorities cautioned beneficiaries against selling the donated gear, warning that those found doing so would face arrest.
Mining activities in Uganda are heavily concentrated in southwestern districts such as Ntungamo District and Isingiro District, where artisanal miners continue to play a critical role in local economies despite ongoing challenges related to safety and regulation.
Stakeholders say sustained support and policy reforms will be key to ensuring the sector becomes both safer and more productive in the long term.