President Museveni has commissioned the Wagagai Gold Mining Project in Busia District, hailing it as a pivotal step toward ending the export of raw minerals and advancing Uganda’s commitment to value addition.
During the event, President Museveni commended Wagagai Mining (U) Co., Ltd. for establishing a cutting-edge refinery capable of producing gold at 99.99% purity.
He highlighted that for decades, Uganda exported impure blister copper, which required further refining abroad before re-importation, resulting in economic losses.
“I congratulate Wagagai for heeding my call to process gold fully within Uganda. This will bring greater revenue to our country,” he stated.
The president emphasized that exporting unprocessed minerals undermines Uganda’s economic potential and encouraged artisanal miners to collaborate with Wagagai to refine their gold locally.
He noted that refined gold supports industries such as jewelry and electronics and praised Wagagai for setting an example as a “resident teacher” for others in the sector.
“Exporting raw minerals is cheating Uganda,” he asserted.
President Museveni also expressed gratitude to the Government of China for its ongoing support, citing investments like Wagagai and infrastructure projects funded through soft loans.
He urged Ugandans to use non-renewable resources like minerals and oil wisely, investing proceeds in sustainable assets like durable power stations and railways.
“Revenue from minerals must be channeled into permanent, durable assets,” he stressed. “To advance our minerals sector, we need full value addition for gold, lithium, tin, and more. This creates jobs, increases revenue, and boosts electricity consumption.”
Zhang Lizhong, China’s Ambassador to Uganda, thanked President Museveni for officiating the launch and praised Uganda’s investor-friendly environment, which has enabled Chinese companies to flourish.
He described the project as a testament to China-Uganda cooperation and a catalyst for industrial growth.
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, affirmed that the Wagagai project aligns with the government’s goals of promoting local value addition and job creation.
She confirmed the refinery’s ability to produce 99.99% pure gold and acknowledged Parliament’s role in establishing the regulatory framework that enabled this milestone.
Tan Jiuchang, General Manager of Wagagai Gold Mining Company, revealed that the $ 150 million Phase I investment is part of a broader $ 250 million plan to develop Uganda’s largest and most advanced gold mine.
He expressed appreciation for the support from government institutions and the Chinese Embassy, noting that Wagagai’s licensing and refining achievements set a standard for Uganda’s mining sector.
Jiuchang highlighted that the project has already created over 2,000 jobs and aligns with President Museveni’s vision for economic transformation.
He added that Busia, a hub for artisanal mining, now benefits from a refinery that will enhance livelihoods for small-scale miners. He encouraged artisanal miners to register and partner with the refinery, which will provide income opportunities and training for hundreds of Ugandans.
Located in Alupe, Busia District, the Wagagai Gold Mine spans 9.224 square kilometers with proven reserves of 30 million tons of gold ore at an average grade of 0.8–1 gram per ton, ensuring 20 years of production.
At full capacity, the mine will process 5,000 tons of ore daily (1.5 million tons annually), yielding approximately 1.2 tons of 99.99% pure gold each year.
The project is projected to generate $ 10 million in annual tax revenue, create over 5,000 jobs, and train more than 500 skilled Ugandan workers.
