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Artisanal, Small Scale Miners Want Minerals Act Amended

The miners are advocating for the Police Mineral Protection Unit to come under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development control.
26 Jan 2025 08:18
SOLIDARIDAD

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Artisanal and small-scale miners, under the umbrella of the Uganda Association of Artisans and Small-Scale Miners, have asked the government to consider an amendment to the Mining and Minerals Act, of 2022.  

The miners are advocating for the Police Mineral Protection Unit to be under the control of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. 

While at a training workshop organized by Solidaridad on the Mineral licensing rules, regulations and Taxation on Friday in Mbarara city the miners claim that the police mineral protection unit has failed to meet its obligations of protecting the Miners and has caused more chaos for the mining sector. 

Deusdedit Beinomugisha, the Chairperson of UGAASM for the western region, expressed concern about why the Inspector General of Police deploys forces in the mines without the consent of the Ministry.  

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Emmanuel Kibirige, the national coordinator of UGAASM, stated that the Minister of Mineral Development is unaware that the Police Unit is not adequately supported, noting that officers continually request food and allowances from miners.  

He mentioned that the officers are trying to take control of the mines, which is causing significant problems.  

Jenipher Aguto, a miner from Kasanda, stated that if they are to continue accepting this kind of deployment, they suggest that the ministry first try the police officers and equip them with the necessary knowledge.  

Voxpops

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Asaph Taremwa, the Inspector of Mines for the Western Region, disagreed with the miners on the independence of PMPU stating that the Commissioner of Mines and the Minister of Energy should collaborate with the Commandant to decide where and how deployments should occur. 

He mentioned that before the miners submit their request, they should be aware that the ministry had proposed the creation of a unit within the department that would report directly to the commissioner. However, this proposal was rejected before the Mining and Minerals Act 2022 was passed by Parliament.  

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Philip Akankwasa, a geologist with the Ministry of Mineral Development, said that the ministry has established a system called "cadastre" within the Mining Cadastre Department on its portal noting that the system is designed specifically to receive applications and complaints from miners and also to protect them as whistleblowers.  

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The Mining and Minerals Act of 2022 directs the Minister of Mineral Development to request police deployment to the mines under the Police Mineral Protection Unit from the Inspector General of Police.

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