The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Aerial survey needed
But the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) Board Chairperson, Elly Karuhanga, insists that only an aerial survey of Karamoja can provide a more representative picture of Uganda’s mineral potential and that, he says, “will finally open the door to Uganda’s prosperity”.
Karuhanga’s UCMP organised the conference and his comments were designed to mirror its theme of “Minerals: Knocking on the door to cause economic transformation in Uganda”.
The conference had representatives of the World Bank and the African Development Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), who are the major sponsors.
Richard Kaijuka, another key member of UCMP, says he too is confident that once Uganda does the aerial survey of Karamoja, explores all the minerals underground around the country, and investments in value addition are undertaken, Uganda could earn more revenue from the mineral sector than it will ever earn from oil.
Their views are supported by Gabriel Data, a Principal Geologist in the Geological Survey Department. He told The Independent on Oct. 13 that Karamoja has good potential for minerals but the lack of geological data over Karamoja has affected investments.
“After we flew 80% of the country Uganda has attracted investors who have since invested heavily in the country,” he said, “When Karamoja has been flown, you will see investments in Uganda’s mineral sector could double or triple.”
He said even though the geophysical survey over Karamoja has not been done, the sub-region has a very good share of minerals which some experts say are more than are available in the 80% of the country that has already been flown.
Data said mapping the mineral potential can improve the government’s negotiation base with investors.
“When you know your potential, you talk with confidence because you know which minerals which exist,” Data told The Independent.
Conducting the aerial geophysical survey required, is however, not cheap at an estimated US$20 million (Approx. Shs73 billion).
“That money is yet to be got from the government, six years since the chamber asked for it,” says Karuhanga.
The World Bank sponsored the 2008 airborne geophysical survey which was quickly followed by geological investigations in 80% of Uganda.
It is this rich geological data, Katto said, that has attracted both the private and public investors in undertaking further exploration and development of Uganda’s mineral potential.
Katto said close to $1,450 billion has so been invested in the country by a number of mineral exploration firms since the aerial survey was done.
I suggest that our president, H.E Yoweri kaguta museveni should sponser the best ugandan scientists to study from countries which are more technological, to get more knowledge in mostly gold refinery, weapon making, petroleum refinery, such that we set our own industries in uganda and stop relying on foreign processed and made goods. For example uganda could make the best use of uranium to make its own biological weapons like missiles, bombs and bullets other than purchasing and relying on foreign controlled weapons, yet we can also make our own using the uranium we have.
such ablessed part of uganda filled with lots of minerals
To the independent.co.ug Administrator, exact listed here: Link Text
It’s so hurtful to see our people in the region rich with minerals in poverty. They are not even recognized bt you hear the westerners and centralians claim to be rich yet the wealth is from karamoja