KAMPALA, UGANDA– President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed all stakeholders, including miners and government agencies, to prioritize the local processing of iron ore into finished products like steel, moving beyond the export of raw materials.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The President’s directive followed a meeting with a delegation of iron ore miners from the Kigezi region, held on September 22, 2025, at State House Entebbe, to discuss strategies for advancing the mining sector in the Kigezi sub-region.
The meeting, convened to formulate a strategic path for the mining industry, underscored a strong presidential emphasis on local value addition to create jobs and spur economic growth.
Discussions centered on unlocking Kigezi’s rich iron ore deposits by tackling local miners’ challenges and identifying sustainable solutions for the industry’s growth.
President Museveni emphasized the critical need for local value addition, stating that processing minerals in Uganda creates revenue and, most importantly, thousands of jobs a vision aligning with the national industrialization agenda.
“By processing our minerals here at home, we create not only more revenue but, most importantly, thousands of jobs for our people, from the mines to the factories,” said President Museveni.
Leading the delegation, Hon. David Bahati expressed profound gratitude for the President’s direct engagement, citing it as a decisive step toward resolving the long-standing challenges faced by Kigezi’s miners.
He outlined key areas for immediate government intervention, highlighting the urgent need for improved infrastructure, access to modern mining technology, and favorable policies to attract investment.
“There is an urgent need for improved infrastructure, particularly better roads to transport minerals, access to modern mining technology, and favorable policies to attract domestic and foreign investment,” Bahati stated.
The meeting brought together key government officials, including Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, Hon. Francis Mwebesa, Phionah Nyamutoro, and Evelyn Anite, the State Minister for Finance for Investment and Privatization, among other leaders.
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