Uganda reopens Kassanda gold exploration site after four-month suspension

Thousands of artisanal gold prospectors in Uganda's Kassanda District are celebrating the government's decision to reopen the Mugobwa Katuugo Gold Exploration Site. The site had been suspended for four months, halting exploration activities for over 3,000 individuals who depend on it for their livelihoods.

“

The government has allowed us to resume exploration activities because we have made significant progress in meeting the required legal and administrative conditions. Most of the requirements have now been fulfilled, and we have been given 12 months to complete the remaining processes.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development have granted prospectors a 12-month grace period to finalize the necessary legal and administrative procedures for formalizing their small-scale mineral exploration. The suspension, which began on April 11, 2026, was imposed by the Mineral Protection Police after discovering that exploration was occurring without the required licenses.

“

The period of suspension was extremely difficult. Many people lost their only source of income, businesses collapsed, and several parents failed to raise school fees for their children.

Leaders of the exploration site, including Fulugye Mukasa, met with prospectors and Mineral Protection Police officers on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to officially announce the reopening. Mukasa stated that activities could resume because significant progress had been made in meeting the legal conditions. He acknowledged the severe economic hardship the four-month suspension caused, leading to lost incomes, collapsed businesses, and difficulties in paying school fees.

“

We appreciate the Ministry for listening to our concerns, giving us another opportunity to continue with exploration activities, and guiding us through the formalisation process so that we can operate legally.

Mukasa expressed gratitude to the Ministry for listening to their concerns and guiding them through the formalization process. He urged all prospectors to comply with government regulations by joining recognized associations, emphasizing that compliance is now mandatory for continued operation. SSP Fred Kidima, Head of Operations at the Mineral Protection Police, commended the prospectors for maintaining peace during the suspension period.

“

Every prospector must register with a recognised association because compliance with government regulations is now mandatory. This is the only way we can continue operating without interruption.