Govt launches safety, legal compliance drive for Namayingo gold miners
The campaign is also focusing on legal compliance in the mining sector, with security agencies warning against illegal mining activities that continue to claim lives and undermine government regulation.
Officials at the launch on July 6, 2026. (Credit: Rhyman Agaba)
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The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), in partnership with other government agencies, has launched a four-day mass sensitisation campaign to promote occupational safety, legal compliance and environmental protection among artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Namayingo district.
The exercise, which began on July 6, 2026, has brought together officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force to educate miners on safe mining practices, the responsible use of chemicals and compliance with mining laws.
Speaking at the launch, Dalton Bakisuula, an occupational hygienist in MGLSD's Department of Occupational Safety and Health, said the campaign aims to address knowledge gaps that have exposed artisanal miners to workplace hazards and the unsafe handling of chemicals.
"Our being here stems from a long-standing chemical safety and security programme implemented by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. The programme promotes the safe use of chemicals in workplaces across the country," Bakisuula said.
"As we carried out our inspections, we realised there was a need to include the informal mining sector in our interventions because many artisanal miners were operating without sufficient knowledge on workplace safety and health," he said.
Bakisuula noted that occupational safety extends beyond factories and offices, stressing that mining sites, schools and manufacturing industries are all subject to occupational safety regulations that require employers and workers to observe safety standards.
The campaign is also focusing on legal compliance in the mining sector, with security agencies warning against illegal mining activities that continue to claim lives and undermine government regulation.
Cephus Wanjala, the zonal commander of the Police Minerals Protection Unit for the Eastern Zone, said illegal mining remains a major challenge in Namayingo District, exposing miners to fatal accidents and unnecessary risks.
He revealed that the government, working with security agencies, has closed several illegal mining sites operating without licences and urged miners to regularise their operations by obtaining the required approvals.
ASP Wanjala also said the district mineral police had engaged officials from Geo-Axis Limited regarding its exploration licence issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, which authorises the company to carry out mineral exploration in the area.
Meanwhile, the acting chief administrative officer of Namayingo district expressed concern over the growing involvement of children in mining activities, describing child labour as a violation of children's rights to education and development.
He called on parents and mining operators to keep children away from mining sites and ensure they remain in school.
The four-day sensitisation campaign is expected to equip artisanal miners with knowledge on occupational health and safety, environmental conservation, lawful mining operations and workers' rights as the government seeks to formalise the artisanal mining sector while reducing workplace accidents and illegal mining activities.