Uganda’s long awaited national mineral testing laboratory is edging closer to full international accreditation, a move officials say will dramatically reshape the country’s mining industry once complete.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development revealed during the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) that the laboratory is now 93 percent complete, with key certification processes in their final stretch.
Once accredited, the facility will give Uganda the ability to analyse and verify mineral samples domestically ending years of reliance on overseas laboratories and cutting down the high costs miners face when sending samples abroad for confirmation.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, speaking at the Entebbe meeting, noted that the facility’s impending readiness is a significant step toward strengthening Uganda’s regulatory framework and boosting investor confidence. She emphasised that internationally recognised testing will make it easier for exploration companies, artisanal miners and processors to operate with greater accuracy and transparency.
The laboratory is expected to support not only mineral identification and purity analysis but also Uganda’s broader ambitions for value addition. With credible local testing in place, minerals can be certified for processing and export within the country, a shift that could stimulate investment in refining, smelting and other downstream industries.
Experts say the accreditation will enhance Uganda’s ability to enforce standards, curb mineral smuggling and align with global best practices key requirements for countries seeking to strengthen their presence in the rapidly growing global minerals market.
The Ministry has committed to fast tracking the remaining processes including equipment verification, quality assurance checks and international audits to ensure the laboratory begins full operations soon.
When completed, the accredited mineral testing facility is expected to transform Uganda’s mining landscape, providing affordable testing services, improving governance and attracting new local and foreign investment into the sector.