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Uganda set to launch domestic gold purchase program

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Uganda set to launch domestic gold purchase program
Agness Alapa Commissiner Mining at statehouse investors protection Unit offices presenting in a stakeholders meeting for strengthening Responsible Mineral sourcing in Uganda .

The  Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is finalising preparations for the launch of the Domestic Gold Purchase Program (DGPP), an initiative aimed at enhancing the nation’s benefits from its gold sector.

Commissioner of Mines, Agnes Alapa, highlighted that this program will integrate artisanal miners into a formal framework, utilizing digital tracking and strengthened regulations to boost transparency.

Set to commence soon, the DGPP will provide protections and fair market access for artisanal miners. Alapa emphasised that the program aims to tackle significant challenges faced by these miners, fostering a more inclusive and economically beneficial environment.

“We aim to realize Uganda’s gold resource potential while supporting artisanal miners who contribute greatly to production,” Alapa said. “Through the DGPP, we are establishing a secure, organised market that recognises their contributions and offers consistent opportunities.”

A central feature of the DGPP is its “national chain of custody,” a digital tracking system that will trace gold from extraction to end destinations, such as the Bank of Uganda or export channels.

This tracking system aligns with international standards, including those from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), underscoring Uganda’s commitment to transparency.

“Digitally tracking our gold from extraction to Kampala and beyond is essential for building trust in our supply chain,” Alapa explained. “These measures will also enable the Bank of Uganda to better monitor and manage our gold assets.”

The Ministry is also developing regulations based on industry feedback to address artisanal miners’ needs. While specific production targets have not been disclosed, Alapa noted that clearer data will emerge as the DGPP’s pilot phase is assessed.

With preparations nearing completion, Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development expects the DGPP to have a transformative effect on the gold sector, creating a transparent, secure environment for Uganda’s artisanal miners to thrive and contribute to a more resilient national economy.

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