BUHWEJU – Gold miners in Buwheju district are in fear for the stability of their families’ economies due to the brutal and corrupt security operatives who chase them away if they dont give them bribery money even when they do propper mining by not leaving open grounds in the mining field.
Ronald Mulokole who has been in mining business for close to 30 years says that this job, although tiresome but has been able to help them sustain their families but it is now being threatened by police and higher offices who ask for money from the miners.
Mugabe Didas, also a miner who has practiced this for 20 years, says they are also in fear for their lives due to the collapsing walls that sometimes kill their fellows.
He requested the government to intervene and support them to formalise their business of gold and sand mining.
He says they usually make meetings on how to use the land properly without degrading the environment.
Busingye Generosa, one of the landlords of the mines, says she is strict on the issue of covering the pits after extracting their gold and sand from her land.
Locals expect more similar incidents because many gold miners in the area operate during dark hours to avoid being arrested and their machines and tools confiscated by police.
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