Uganda has rolled out a youth empowerment programme designed to inject new skills, innovation, and sustainability into the country’s mineral sector. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in partnership with UNDP and the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, is part of the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme co-funded by the European Union.
In August 2025, more than 180 young people including entrepreneurs, university students and mining professionals took part in training sessions hosted at Kabale, Gulu, and Busitema universities. The programme provided hands-on learning in areas such as business and financial management, sustainable mining practices, licensing requirements, safety standards, and mineral value addition.
The training was tailored to regional priorities, Kabale focused on business formalisation and regulatory compliance, Gulu explored entrepreneurship and innovation in development minerals like stone aggregates, while Busitema emphasized technical knowledge, modern mining technologies, and environmental stewardship. Participants also engaged in tree-planting activities to highlight the importance of sustainability in the sector.
Organisers reported strong gender inclusion, with women making up 43% of the trainees. This, they noted, reflects a deliberate effort to break barriers in what has traditionally been a male-dominated industry.
The programme is aligned with Uganda’s broader economic agenda, which targets the creation of at least 10,000 new jobs annually through the mining sector. By equipping young Ugandans with practical skills and linking them to academic, business, and regulatory networks, the initiative aims to build a new generation of industry leaders capable of driving value addition and responsible resource management.
Stakeholders say the next step will be ensuring that participants gain access to financing, mentorship, and markets so they can convert their skills into viable enterprises that contribute to both livelihoods and national growth.