Delays stall Busoga rare earth project as communities await promised benefits
More than a decade after rare earth mineral deposits were discovered in eastern Uganda, mining activities in the Busoga sub-region are yet to start. The project is now running close to a year behind schedule.
Bugweri’s Natural Resources Officer said operations originally planned for July 2025 may not begin until October 2026, citing delays in mining licensing, changes to Uganda’s mining laws, and unresolved compensation questions for residents facing displacement. Local leaders allege that a two-year land access agreement with the mining company lapsed last September, and that company officials cite a weakening international demand for the minerals as a major drawback.
Local leaders also warn that if delays keep dragging on, community trust in the process could erode further.
