Karamoja Airborne Survey Report Expected in January

The first phase of the Airborne Geophysical Survey for mineral deposits in Karamoja is near completion.

In March, the government launched the survey to enable it to ascertain the available mineral deposits in the region such as gold, copper, iron ore, Rare Earth Elements, gemstones and Marble. It will cost the government about 80 Billion Shillings to complete the survey in three years. The survey has been extended to other neighbouring regions including parts of Teso, Bugisu and Acholi. 

Vincent Kedi, the Commissioner in Charge Licensing and Administration Ministry Energy and Mineral Development says about 90 per cent of the aerial survey has been completed in Karamoja, parts of Teso and Bugisu and now they are carrying out the neighbouring airborne survey in Acholi' Lawmo district.

Kedi says preliminary information about mineral endowments in the region could be ready by January 2022 when the report will be made public. Kedi explains that a team of experts are on the ground in the Bugishu sub-region and will soon move to other regions including Karamoja.

“Right now our team is doing a follow up on the ground. They are picking samples from the field for analysis. We have started from Bugishu and then we shall move to Teso and Karamoja,” he said.

The Inspector for Minerals in Karamoja Gerald Eneku says that the public should be patient as the government analyses accurate data to avoid speculation and excitement.

The report will be made public. Let the public be patient until it is ready because we don’t want to encourage speculation and excitement, said Eneku.

Eneku says the process of testing samples is still underway and leaders should not excite the people until the report is out.

In Katakwi, there is speculation that the three are oil deposits in Okore and Angisa Sub Counties along the border with Kapelebyong district.

During the national survey, the problem of insecurity made it impossible for the government to survey Karamoja.