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.