Gold mining at Okemer in Abim district is set to resume, following a high-level government meeting on March 31, 2026 in Kampala.

Convened by the State Minister for Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutoro, the meeting brought together representatives from the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF), the Police Minerals Protection Unit (PMPU) and leaders from Abim district to resolve a prolonged standoff that had prevented the reopening of the mine, despite the Kakoka Artisanal Miners Association securing an artisanal mining license in October last year to mine in the area.

The meeting resolved that operations would start within two weeks, subject to compliance with key environmental, safety, and operational requirements set by government.

Nyamutoro chairing the meeting

Government has committed to drilling and motorizing a water well at the site to ensure access to clean water and improve sanitation standards.

In addition, the Kakoka association is required to fence off the mining area and construct adequate sanitation facilities, including toilets, to support an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people expected to operate at the site.

The association will also designate specific mining pits to members within the license area, establish a centralized processing centre, and implement systems for recording production to support transparency in trade and taxation.

Miners have also been directed not to interfere with nearby natural water sources or disrupt the ecological setup of the area – an issue that previously raised serious environmental concerns.

Gold Rush

The planned reopening marks a significant transition from the chaotic gold rush that gripped the area in early 2024 to a more structured and regulated mining framework.

At the peak of the rush between March and May 2024, more than 3,000 people – some from Kenya and South Sudan – flocked Abim to mine gold.

A gram of gold was reportedly selling at around UGX 300,000 ($78), fueling the surge in activity.

Nyamutoro meeting the Abim miners in 2024

However, the absence of clean water, sanitation facilities, and basic governance structures, coupled with the presence of vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, lactating mothers and school-going children, prompted government intervention.

President Yoweri Museveni subsequently directed the immediate closure of the mines until the artisanal miners were formalized.

UPDF soldiers were deployed to enforce the directive and maintain security.

Alliance

The Kakoka Artisanal Miners Association was formed following this shutdown and then, after a long and costly process, the group was finally granted an artisanal mining license in late 2025, recounts Charles Dickens Alir, a director in the association.

“There are significant costs involved, including the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), laboratory testing of samples, and consultancy fees. Each consultant charged about UGX 25 million, and in total we spent over UGX 100 million to secure the licence,” he explained.

Funding for these processes was mobilized from association members, well-wishers, and support from local political leaders like Members of Parliament.

Though open to any Ugandan aged 18 and above, the group membership is mainly drawn from the Abim sub-counties of Alerek, Camkok, and Alerek Town Council, where the locals are called the Kakoka.

Members pay a registration fee of UGX 20,000 and an annual subscription of UGX 30,000.

To accommodate those unable to pay upfront, the association allows miners to work and gradually deducts fees from their gold sales.

Alir (back row, white shirt) next to UGAASM officials

Following guidance from the Uganda Association of Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (UGAASM), Kakoka is in the process of setting up a cooperative-style trading model, where members mine individually but share proceeds collectively at the end of the year.

Way forward

Alir blames delays in accessing the mining site (despite being licensed) to a communication gap between security agencies and the Ministry of Energy.

“The military was initially hesitant to grant us access as it awaited further directives. The understanding from the ministry, though, is that once a licence is issued, it supersedes earlier directives. But there was confusion on the ground, which delayed our return,” he said.

Maj Gen Keith Katungi, Commander of UPDF’s 5th Infantry Division based in Pader

Echoing Alir’s “miscommunication” perspective, Kenneth Asiimwe, the CEO, UGAASM noted: “Indeed different state institutions had tried to address the impasse arbitrarily, yet we already have existing mining laws and regulations. We appreciate the guidance of the Minister, army representatives and State House staff and we are glad that we arrived at an amicable conclusion without any finger-pointing.”

Having attended the consultation together with Emmanuel Kibirige, the General Secretary UGAASM, as both advisors and observers, he remained positive that the 14-day action plan and the committee constituted to effect it, would enable legal mining operations to commence in Abim sooner, rather than later.

“Our mandate and general outlook is to make sure there is no artisanal or small-scale miner marginalized. If it is a law or policy that we feel is unfair we will advocate for it to be improved or removed,” added Asiimwe.

The Mining and Minerals Act 2022 marked a major shift in government policy as it officially recognized artisanal mining as a licensable activity for the first time.

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) produces 90% of total mining output in Uganda; while employing 60% of the mining workforce (600,000 directly, 2 million indirectly).

Mining is one of the key sectors Uganda has identified to transform the economy.