Locals decry low pay in the mining sector

Nov 24, 2020

The locals also accused the central government of leasing off their land to Tororo cement without their knowledge.

MINING|LOW PAY|MINERS

MOROTO - Residents of Rupa and Tapac communities have decried the low prices of minerals in Moroto district. 

David Lokonyen a resident of Tapac and a member of Naita Atepath, a local association fighting for the locals to get better pay blamed the mining companies for not only failing to increase the prices but also for the inhumane treatment they subject to miners.

"The artisanal miners have been demanding for an increase in prices but Tororo cement has paid a deaf ear to their cries," Lokonyen said. 

He accused the district leaders of allegedly having bribed a few elders in the area when miners had threatened to protest as they sought to achieve their pay raise.

According to the 2018 Uganda mining cadaster, Karamoja region has over 300 million tons of commercial limestone deposits, some of which are being exploited and transported to cement and tile manufacturing companies all over the country. 

From the community consultations by the resource rights Africa of April 2018, at Kosiroi mining area the rates for the limestone sold to Tororo cement in the tonnages of 31, 29, and 25 are Sh210,000, Sh170,000, and Sh150,000, respectively.    

Residents have decried the low prices of minerals in Moroto district.


The locals also accused the central government of leasing off their land to Tororo cement without their knowledge.

They allege that the company has expanded the land from the previous 20.175 square kilometers to 51.8175 square kilometers. 

Lokonyen noted that the company has failed to fulfill the promises it made as part of its corporate social responsibilities to the community. 

These include development of learning centers, increase of water sources, improved medical, and meeting the medical costs of injured employees. 

Omar Loumo, the Local Council two chairperson said, "From the time Tororo cement investors came in 2002 until now, there is nothing that can show that the living standards of the people in Moroto has improved." 

"From the start of operations in 2003 until today ordinary equipment is the ones still in use for the mineral extraction like Hammers heating stones using firewood and nothing has been improved," he added said. 

Andrew Byaruhanga, the executive director of Resource Rights Africa informed journalists that not much has changed since the mining sector came to Karamoja in terms of people's rights. 

"We have noticed that Sunbelt has displaced people after having a memorandum of understanding with the locals which allowed people to continue mining as well as the company," Byaruhanga said. 

He called upon concerned institutions to partner and empower communities for them to claim their rights. 

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