Kanungu,Uganda – Kanungu District Council has called for safe, lawful and community-benefiting mining at Kayungwe gold site following a special sitting held on September 10, 2026.
The session, chaired by Speaker Hon. Frank Byaruhanga Faraoh, was convened to address tensions over the chaotic gold rush, environmental degradation and alleged harassment of locals.
The site was officially closed on July 2, 2026, by State Minister for Minerals, Hon. Phionah Nyamutoro, over public health concerns and lack of statutory licences. However, council heard that illegal mining has continued, with locals allegedly blocked from their gardens and subjected to assault by some security officers.
District Chairperson Hon. Francis Kapesha said while the district supports mineral exploitation, it must comply with Article 245 of the Constitution, the Mining and Minerals Act 2022, and environmental and safety laws. He cited lack of sanitation, water source pollution, use of mercury and unresolved land rights as reasons for the shutdown.
The council also considered a letter from Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi dated September 7, 2026, urging harmonization on health, environment, security and community participation before any reopening.
Minister Nyamutoro, who attended the session, said her visit was a fact-finding mission, not a reopening. She clarified existing licences including Exploration Licence EL00315 and Gazetted Artisanal Area GP00033 for four local associations, and warned public officers against commercial interests in mining under Section 206 of the Mining Act.
The council raised concern over a directive requiring a newly registered district cooperative to apply for an artisanal licence instead of a small-scale mining licence, saying it would restrict locals to 6 feet depth while gold lies deeper and would favour a foreign company.
A joint inspection found 197 open pits, substandard housing, waste mismanagement and contaminated water sources. Directives were issued for Shiye Company Limited to evacuate ore, backfill pits, dismantle illegal structures, close mercury processing centres and construct at least 20 pit latrines.
The council resolved to petition the President for intervention, seek immediate transfer of implicated security personnel, and demand a joint harmonization meeting to ensure lawful and community-benefiting mining.
