The Ugandan government has begun reclaiming land and assets leased to Kilembe Mines Limited as part of a broader effort to restart copper mining operations in Kasese District. The move is a major step in reviving the long-dormant copper industry.
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Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, while visiting the area, called on squatters and informal settlers occupying the mine’s leasehold to begin preparing to vacate. She assured the public that the government would not conduct forced evictions but would instead follow a legal, phased, and respectful approach.
“This process is about restoring the integrity of Kilembe Mines’ assets in readiness for redevelopment,” Nankabirwa said. “We are committed to doing this legally and respectfully. No one will be dragged off the land, but everyone must begin to prepare.”
The government’s renewed effort comes after years of failed attempts to revive Kilembe Mines, including the cancellation of a 25-year concession with Chinese firm Tibet Hima in 2022 due to non-performance and environmental concerns.
Once Uganda’s largest copper producer, Kilembe Mines was a key foreign exchange earner in the 1960s and 1970s. But the mines were nationalized under Idi Amin in 1975, leading to decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, and eventual closure in 1982.
Efforts to privatize or revamp the mine have repeatedly stalled, with aging infrastructure, flooding, and encroachment by settlers complicating progress. Informal communities have gradually occupied mine land, creating obstacles for potential investors.
Now, with investor selection in advanced stages, the Energy Ministry is placing strict emphasis on financial capacity, technical expertise, and environmental responsibility.
“The investor coming in must meet rigorous standards. We’re not just reopening Kilembe for the sake of it,” Nankabirwa added. “We want sustainable, responsible mining that benefits the people of Uganda—especially those in the Rwenzori sub-region.”
State Minister for National Guidance Godfrey Kabyanga also warned locals against dealing with impostors claiming to negotiate land deals on behalf of the government.
“No one should be duped into paying individuals who pretend to help them retain land,” Kabyanga said. “All matters related to Kilembe Mines are under the direct jurisdiction of the government.”
Local authorities have been tasked with community sensitization and are working with the central government to prevent unrest during the transition. Though an official deadline for vacating the land has not been set, officials urged residents to treat the matter with urgency.
If successful, the mine’s revival is expected to create jobs, boost local infrastructure, and reignite economic activity in the region.
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