By Nasser Kayanja
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), under the department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) with other government agencies, has launched a mass sensitisation campaign aimed at promoting occupational safety, legal compliance and environmental protection among artisanal small-scale gold miners in Namayingo District.
The exercise, which began on Monday, brings together officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Uganda Police Force to educate miners on safe mining practices, responsible use of chemicals and compliance with mining laws.
Speaking during the launch, Dalton Bakisuula, from the MGLSD’s department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) said the campaign seeks to bridge knowledge gaps that have exposed artisanal miners to workplace hazards and unsafe handling of chemicals.
“Our being here stems from a long-standing chemical safety and security programme implemented by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. The programme promotes the safe use of chemicals in workplaces across the country,” Mr Bakisuula said.
He explained that the ministry expanded its inspections to include artisanal mining sites after discovering that many operators in the informal sector lacked adequate knowledge of occupational safety standards.
“As we carried out our inspections, we realized there was a need to include the informal mining sector in our interventions because many artisanal miners were operating without sufficient knowledge on workplace safety and health,” he said.
Mr Bakisuula noted that workplace safety extends beyond factories and offices, stressing that mining sites, schools and manufacturing industries all fall under occupational safety regulations where employers and workers must observe safety standards.
The campaign is also addressing legal compliance in the mining sector, with security agencies warning against illegal mining activities that continue to claim lives and undermine government regulation.
Cephus Wanjala, the Zonal Commander of the Police Minerals Protection Unit for the Eastern Zone, said illegal mining operations remain a major concern in Namayingo District, exposing miners to fatal accidents and avoidable risks.
“The law requires that anyone operating as an artisanal miner must be recognised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. Those operating outside the law are considered illegal miners, just like people smuggling goods across the border without authorisation,” ASP Wanjala said.
He revealed that government, working with security agencies, has closed several illegal mining sites operating without licences and urged miners to regularise their operations by obtaining the necessary approvals.
ASP Wanjala also said the District Mineral Police has engaged officials from Geo-Axis Limited over its exploration licence issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, allowing the company to undertake mineral exploration in the area.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chief Administrative Officer of Namayingo District expressed concern over the increasing involvement of children in mining activities, describing child labour as a violation of children’s rights to education and development.
He called on parents and mining operators to keep children out of mining sites and instead ensure they remain in school.
The four-day sensitisation exercise is expected to equip artisanal miners with knowledge on occupational health and safety, environmental conservation, lawful mining operations and workers’ rights, as the government seeks to formalise the artisanal mining sector while reducing workplace accidents and illegal mining activities.