Why govt has suspended issuance of new mineral permits
Musenero said the existing regulatory functions, licence renewals and specific export permits remain unaffected.
(L-R) State Minister for Energy Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of Energy and Minerals Monica Musenero, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy Irene Pauline Bateebe, and Head of Communication at the Ministry of Energy Patricia Litho during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on August 28, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Nanyonga)
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Uganda's energy ministry has said it is suspending the issuance of new mineral permits for one month.
The move is aimed at ensuring that the licensing framework is fully aligned with the Government's strategic and policy direction.
“We hereby notify holders of mineral rights, licenses and permits, applicants, stakeholders and the general public that the grant of new mineral rights, licenses, permits and other relevant authorisations is temporarily deferred for a period of one month, with immediate effect,” energy minister Dr Monica Musenero said on Friday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Minister of Energy and Minerals Monica Musenero addresses journalists during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on August 28, 2026. (Photo by Nancy Nanyonga)
She said a comprehensive review of the mineral licensing process and the Mining Cadastre and Registry System (MCRS) will be conducted.
The suspension applies to all mineral sector players except mineral export permits that have been processed, permissions to export mineral samples and renewal of existing licenses.
As of June 30 this year, the energy ministry has issued 212 prospecting licenses, 497 exploration licenses, five scale large-scale mining permits, 38 medium and 18 small-scale licenses.
Three artisanal licenses, three mineral smelting licenses, six mineral refining licenses, as well 205 mineral dealers and five mineral processing permits have been issued.
The energy minister said the input of the already existing mining firms will be assessed in this period.
“We shall assess the status of existing licenses; during the period of deferment, the ministry will review the performance of the different licenses in alignment with set targets."