Uganda banks on mining law reforms to attract investors
Dorothy Samali Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, said the reforms were intended to create a more transparent, competitive and investor-friendly regulatory environment capable of attracting long-term investment.
The Government is seeking to use the framework to strengthen governance in the sector and encourage investment. (File photo)
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Uganda is banking on reforms introduced under the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, to attract international investors into mineral exploration, processing and value addition, as the Government seeks to transform the mining sector into a driver of industrialisation and job creation.
Dorothy Samali Hyuha, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, said the reforms were intended to create a more transparent, competitive and investor-friendly regulatory environment capable of attracting long-term investment.
Speaking at a luncheon networking event hosted by the Uganda High Commission on October 29, 2026, on the sidelines of the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC 2026) in Sydney, Australia, Hyuha said Uganda was seeking partnerships to unlock its mineral potential and strengthen domestic industries.
“What makes this moment opportune is our policy shift. The Mining and Minerals Act 2022 has reformed our regulatory framework to be more transparent, competitive, and investor-friendly,” she said in a communication shared from the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday, October 29.
Hyuha said the reforms included strengthened licensing procedures, improved value addition requirements and security of tenure for investors.
The engagement comes as Uganda seeks foreign capital, technology and expertise to develop its deposits of gold, copper, cobalt, iron ore, graphite and rare earth elements, among other minerals.
Uganda’s delegation to IMARC is led by Hyuha and includes Vincent Kedi, the commissioner for mineral licensing and administration at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and Humphrey Asiimwe, chief executive officer of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum.
The delegation is pursuing partnerships in exploration, extraction, mineral processing, infrastructure and technology, with a focus on creating jobs, strengthening local enterprises and expanding export earnings.
She said extensive airborne geophysical surveys covering more than 80% of the country had strengthened knowledge of Uganda’s mineral potential.
Hyuha urged investors attending the conference to engage directly with officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to explore opportunities and discuss possible partnerships.
“Our colleagues from the Ministry are not just officials; they are your technical partners and guides. They are here to listen and to facilitate,” she said.
She added that the Uganda High Commission in Canberra would facilitate follow-up meetings, due diligence and business linkages after the conference.
“The role of the High Commission is to be your bridge,” she said.
Beyond mineral extraction
Uganda wants to move beyond exporting raw minerals to processing them locally, a shift that could create jobs, expand opportunities for domestic businesses and retain more value from the country’s natural resources.
During the IMARC engagements, Kedi said the mining sector’s performance should not be measured solely by the volume of minerals extracted, but also by its contribution to skills development, processing and other economic activities.
Asiimwe also emphasised the importance of presenting investment-ready projects that demonstrate commercial potential to international investors.
Private sector participation is expected to help connect Uganda’s mineral resources with the capital, expertise and technologies needed to develop them.
Investment challenges
Despite its mineral potential, Uganda will need to demonstrate that its projects can generate commercially viable returns to attract long-term investment.
Investors typically assess the quality of geological data, clarity of mineral rights, predictability of licensing, availability of infrastructure, energy costs and confidence in project returns before committing capital.
The Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, provides the legal framework for mineral exploration and exploitation in Uganda. The Government is seeking to use the framework to strengthen governance in the sector and encourage investment.
Australia’s experience in mining technology and responsible resource development offers opportunities for cooperation in exploration, processing and technical training.
Hyuha said Uganda was particularly interested in partnerships that support industrialisation, clean energy and sustainable mining practices.
She urged the Ugandan delegation to present the country not merely as a source of minerals, but as a long-term investment partner, while listening to investors’ needs and expectations.