The Finance ministry official says mining investment can create jobs and transform communities as Sino Minerals commissions Shs1.2 billion administrative infrastructure in Kabale District.
The Minister of State for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatisation, Amina Mukalazi, has urged residents of Buhara Sub-county in Kabale District to embrace mining investments, saying they can create jobs, improve livelihoods and accelerate Uganda’s economic growth.
Mukalazi made the call during the commissioning of the newly constructed Buhara Sub-county headquarters, a Shs1.2 billion investment funded by Sino Minerals Investments Company Limited under its corporate social responsibility programme.
She commended the company for supporting community development, saying its investment demonstrated how partnerships between government and the private sector could contribute to improved public services and local economic transformation.
Mukalazi said the government recognised investors as strategic partners in promoting socioeconomic development through initiatives supporting education, healthcare, employment and other essential sectors.
“I call on residents living near where mining operations are taking place to maintain a peaceful and supportive environment that enables the investor to operate effectively while contributing to local development,” Mukalazi said.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing a conducive business environment, noting that private-sector investment was important to achieving Uganda’s long-term development ambitions.
Sino Minerals Investments Company Limited Executive Director Kong Dongshen, however, urged the government to address challenges affecting mining operations, including land-use policies, electricity supply and infrastructure.
Dongshen called for clear and predictable policies governing access to land around mining sites for production, staff accommodation and supporting infrastructure.
He also proposed more flexible mineral exploration licensing arrangements and streamlined inspection procedures, saying the changes would reduce administrative burdens and allow mining companies to concentrate on production, job creation and tax contributions.
“We hope the government can provide clear, stable and predictable policy arrangements for obtaining land around the mine for production, employee living areas and supporting infrastructure, so that enterprises can confidently make long-term capital-intensive investments,” Dongshen said.
Dongshen said the company had fulfilled its commitment to supporting community development in line with government requests and a memorandum of understanding with Kabale District.
However, he said the company was still awaiting the allocation of a promised 1.6-acre piece of land for staff accommodation.
Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer Robert Mugabe said the company's investments had contributed to local economic development, adding that increased mineral royalty revenues over the past two years had helped the district improve service delivery, particularly roads and other infrastructure.
He said the investment aligned with the government's Tenfold Growth Strategy, which identifies mineral development as one of the drivers of economic transformation.
Mugabe also urged the company to complete outstanding works to ensure the newly constructed facilities were fully functional and suitable for staff.
“The company should complete the outstanding works to ensure the facilities were fully functional and suitable for staff,” he said.
Kabale Resident District Commissioner Maj. (Rtd) Godfrey Katamba said the investment supported the government's mineral development agenda under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV).
He said developing the mining sector was important for economic growth, employment creation and Uganda's broader development ambitions.
The newly commissioned infrastructure comprises a fully furnished sub-county headquarters, eight staff houses, four Honda motorcycles and office equipment, including two computers, a printer and a television.
The project was initially launched on July 17, 2026, by Kabale District leaders following the allocation of 15.5 acres of land at Kijoojo Village, where the sub-county headquarters is located.
The land allocation also enabled Sino Minerals to plan for the expansion of its iron ore processing operations while supporting the development of administrative infrastructure for Buhara Sub-county.