KANUNGU – Kanungu District officials have accused the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of sleeping on its duty, following the tragic death of a local leader at the controversial Kayungwe Gold Mine.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The deceased has been identified as Tumwehe Charles, the LC1 Chairperson of Kashojwa Village, Northern Ward, Kanungu Town Council, who was hit by a collapsing rock at the Kayungwe Gold Mining Site.
Sources allege that the deceased met his death when a rock collapsed on him as he attempted to flee from security guards manning the mining site. The incident has ignited fury among district leaders.
Officials say the unregulated nature of illegal gold mining in the area has continued to cost lives, arguing that the Ministry’s failure to enforce regulations is directly responsible for the deteriorating security and safety situation at the mine.
The concerns were raised during a meeting with the Minister of State for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Elderly Affairs, Hon. Jackline Mbabazi, where district leaders implored her to carry their urgent petition to the Cabinet.
District Speaker Frank Byaruhanga expressed deep frustration over the licensing regime, questioning why the Ministry continues to license foreign companies to mine in Kanungu while denying local people licenses to benefit from their own resources.
Byaruhanga revealed that the district leadership is working closely with Kanungu Members of Parliament to escalate the matter directly to President Yoweri Museveni for a lasting solution.
“We are deeply frustrated by the current licensing system. Why does the Ministry continue to give licenses to foreign companies to mine in Kanungu, while denying our own local people the chance to benefit from their own resources? We are working closely with our MPs to take the matter directly to President Yoweri Museveni for a lasting solution,” Speaker Frank said.
The District LC V Chairperson, Francis Byamukama Kapesha, lamented that what was once considered a blessing, the discovery of minerals, has turned into a curse due to persistent deaths and conflicts.
The Kayungwe gold mine was closed in July by Minerals Minister Hon. Phionah Nyamutooro to allow proper regulation, yet illegal mining continues despite heavy deployment of Mineral Police and UPDF personnel.
The leaders have demanded urgent government intervention to regulate mining activities, license local artisanal miners, and enforce strict safety standards at all mining sites to prevent further loss of life.
Minister Jackline Mbabazi, in response, promised to present the district’s petition regarding the Kayungwe gold mine, licensing issues, and illegal mining to both the Cabinet and the President to seek a permanent resolution.
“I will present your petition regarding the Kayungwe gold mine, the licensing issues, and illegal mining to both Cabinet and His Excellency the President to seek a permanent resolution,” Minister Jackline noted.
The death of Tumwehe Charles serves as a grim reminder of the volatile situation at Uganda’s artisanal mining sites, where the rush for gold often comes at the highest cost.
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