Bughendera County MP Christopher Kibanzanga has called on the government to revive Kilembe Copper Mines, saying the once major mining centre played an important role in creating jobs and supporting economic activity in Kasese and the wider Rwenzori sub-region.
Kibanzanga said the revival of the mines would provide much-needed employment for young people and help restore economic activity that has declined in some parts of the region.
Speaking to Bbeg Media, Kibanzanga said Kasese town had expanded over the years but had not attracted enough new industries and businesses to employ the growing population.
“Despite the expansion of Kasese town, there are no more facilities that kept Kasese busy and employed our people,” he said.
Kibanzanga said reopening Kilembe Copper Mines would create jobs directly through mining and indirectly through businesses that supply goods and services to the industry.
Kilembe Copper Mines, located in Kasese, was once one of Uganda’s major copper producers. Mining operations began in the 1950s, and the mine became an important source of employment and economic activity in the region before production declined and operations were eventually suspended.
Kibanzanga said the government should look beyond Kilembe and consider reviving other industries and economic activities that could create jobs and increase government revenue.
He cited the Katwe salt works, fish processing, and cement manufacturing as areas that could contribute more to the regional economy if properly supported.
“The revival should not only be about Kilembe. We need to look at other industries and economic activities that can create jobs for our people and increase tax revenue for government,” he said.
Kibanzanga also appealed to President Museveni to honour his pledge to support the rebuilding of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu palace.
The palace was damaged during the security clashes in Kasese in 2016, when government security forces confronted members of the royal guard. The clashes led to deaths and arrests and created tensions between the government and the cultural institution.
Kibanzanga said he remained committed to efforts aimed at improving relations between the government and the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu.
He said dialogue and mediation were important in addressing outstanding issues and rebuilding trust between the two sides.
