Supplement from Ministry of Energy

During the FY2017/18, the Mineral Sub-sector undertook policy analysis and reforms, appraisal of mineral and geothermal targets, geo-hazard monitoring, modernizing the mineral laboratories and inspection and monitoring of exploration and mining activities countrywide.

The Cabinet approved the new Mining and Mineral Policy for Uganda 2018 on 7th May 2018. To operationalize this new policy, the Sub-sector fi nalized the Cabinet Memorandum on the proposed Mining and Minerals Bill 2018 and also carried out the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the proposed Bill.

In addition, the Sub-sector developed a draft geothermal policy to regulate geothermal exploration and development in the country and National Mineral Laboratories Services policy.

These policies are currently undergoing review by the Inter ministerial technical team before they are submitted to Cabinet. The Sub-sector is upgrading its Mining Cadastre and Registry System (MCRS) to an e-government based mineral licensing system for a threeyear period.

In preparation for the transition from a paper-based to an online system, the Subsector in collaboration with NITA-U is now hosting the cadaster system in the cloud, and is in the process of securing an MoU with URA to develop an online payment transaction portal.

The Subsector is also reviewing the Mining Regulations, 2004 to effect the transition to an online system. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (the implementation of the Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region) Bill No.16 was assented.

The ICGLR Act,2017 is being implemented by the Ministry towards issuance of the fi rst certifi cate for certifi ed designated minerals from Uganda. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS REVIEW