In a major milestone for Uganda’s mining sector, the assets of the historic Kilembe Mines Limited were officially handed over today to the Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC), Sarai Group, and Nile Fireboard Limited.
The handover ceremony, presided over by Fiona Nyamutoro, the State Minister for Minerals, marks the formal transfer of control ahead of a scheduled field inspection to verify the handed-over assets.
The revitalization of Kilembe Mines represents a turning point in Uganda’s mining journey.
Since its closure in 1982 due to a global slump in copper prices, the once-thriving copper mine in the Rwenzori region had remained dormant, leaving significant potential untapped.
Speaking during the handover event, Nyamutoro noted: “Today is a landmark moment in our mission to revive Uganda’s mineral wealth.
The handover of Kilembe Mines is more than just an administrative process it’s a symbol of our commitment to responsible mineral development, industrialization, and economic transformation.
Through the partnership between UNMC, Sarai Group, and Nile Fireboard Limited, we are paving the way for Uganda to reap real value from its natural resources.”
This move follows the signing of a Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) on March 3, 2025, between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, UNMC, Sarai Group, and Nile Fireboard Limited.
The agreement sets the stage for a collaborative effort to resuscitate the mining of copper and cobalt — critical minerals in the global green transition.
Minister Nyamutoro further emphasized that the government is focused on building local capacity, promoting transparency, and ensuring community benefit from extractive industries.
As the next step, a joint team will embark on a comprehensive field inspection of the assets to confirm their state and readiness for resumption of operations.
Stakeholders believe that the resumption of operations at Kilembe will not only create jobs and stimulate the local economy but also contribute significantly to Uganda’s export earnings.
The revitalization of Kilembe Mines comes at a time when global demand for copper is soaring, driven by growth in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles, making this an opportune moment for Uganda to position itself as a competitive mineral producer in the region.