Natural Resource Governance

⚒️ Why Critical Minerals Matter to Uganda

As the world moves away from fossil fuels, demand for critical minerals is increasing fast. Uganda holds significant reserves in several regions.

In the Karamoja sub-region, gold, copper, and lithium exploration is accelerating. Kilembe in Kasese District is historically rich in cobalt and copper, and is once again attracting investors and mining interests.Other districts like Buhweju are home to small-scale gold mining that often happens without proper regulation or safeguards. Yet communities in these areas face growing challenges. Many are not consulted when mining licenses are issued. Environmental degradation is increasing. And women, youth, and Indigenous peoples are still left out of mining decisions.

We ask a simple but urgent question: Who truly benefits?

🎯 Our Work: Putting Communities at the Centre

CECIC’s Natural Resources Governance program focuses on four key priorities:

1. Transparency and Accountability

We work to ensure communities have access to mining contracts, environmental impact assessments (EIAs), and benefit-sharing agreements.
In 2024, we partnered with three communities in Kasese to obtain and analyze EIAs related to upcoming mineral projects.

2. Community Participation

We support women, Indigenous peoples, and youth to understand their rights, engage in local decision-making, and participate in formal consultations.
Last year, we trained 52 community leaders in Karamoja more than half of them women—on their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

3. Environmental Justice

We help communities monitor and respond to the environmental effects of mining, including water pollution, soil erosion, and forest loss.
In the Rwenzori region, our Food Forests for Climate Resilience project helped plant over 15,000 trees on land previously targeted for extraction.

4. A Just Energy Transition

We advocate for a fair transition where critical minerals help power renewable energy solutions without harming people or ecosystems.
CECIC contributes to national energy dialogues and helps shape policies that center communities and climate justice.

🧪 Case Study: Kilembe Communities, Kasese District

The communities around Kilembe have long lived with the legacy of mineral extraction. Once a booming mining area, Kilembe is now under renewed pressure from investors eager to restart cobalt and copper operations.

When new exploration licenses were proposed, local residents raised concerns about a lack of consultation, unclear environmental plans, and possible displacement.

CECIC worked closely with community leaders to:

  • Access and simplify technical mining documents

  • Facilitate dialogue between local government and residents

  • Launch a women-led campaign to protect community forests near the proposed sites

“For years, decisions were made above us. But now, we know our rights and how to protect what matters to us.”— Margaret Kabugho, community member and forest guardian

📢 What We’re Calling For

To ensure that Uganda’s mineral wealth serves people and the environment, we call on government agencies, companies, and civil society to:

✅ Publish all mining contracts, EIAs, and community benefit agreements
✅ Guarantee that communities give Free, Prior, and Informed Consent before mining begins
✅ Involve women, youth, and Indigenous leaders in all levels of mining governance
✅ Enforce strong environmental protections in all mineral zones
✅ Ensure fair and transparent benefit-sharing with local people

🌍 A Just Future Is Possible

Uganda has the opportunity to lead the way in showing that critical minerals can support both climate action and community wellbeing.

CECIC is committed to building a future where:

  • Land is protected and restored

  • People’s voices are respected

  • Natural wealth is used to build resilience and justice

🤝 Get Involved

We believe change begins at the community level, but it grows stronger when we work together.

You can support our work by:

  • Volunteering with our environmental monitoring or research teams

  • Donating to fund community-led campaigns and trainings

  • Submitting stories or concerns about local mining impacts

  • Partnering with us on advocacy, events, or reports

  • Subscribing to our newsletter for the latest updates and calls to action

👉 Ready to act? Contact us here or email us at info@cecicug.org

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