Leaders welcome Kilembe mines privatisation

By Wilson Asiimwe

Kasese district leaders have welcomed the hand over of Kilembe copper mines to Chinese investors, saying the move will help revamp the mines.

Godfrey Kabyanga, the municipality mayor said people will get work at the mines that have been lying idle for over 40 years.

He said the privatisation is timely as many of Uganda’s youth are unemployed. He added that the council will now increase its revenue base from the royalties that will be earned from the mines company.

“The Government has done something good. We hope that our roads will now be repaired from the tax revenues to be got from the mines. This will boost the Council’s capacity to deliver necessary services,” Kabyanga said.

Lt. Col. Dura Mawa, the local government chairman said the local government had benefited a lot from companies such as Hima Cement and said that it will also benefit from the Chinese firm that has taken over Kilembe mines.

He said they will strive to ensure that there is a conducive environment for the investors to do their work. He asked the Government to find more investors to take over other government factories that are lying idle like the Katwe salt factory.

“I ask the Government to find more investors who can take up other government-owned factories in the district such as Katwe salt factory which has been idle for over 30 years, so that people can get employment and benefit from them,” said Mawa said.