Runjin Mining Holdings has built a fully operational gold mine in Tiira Town Council, Busia District, employing more than 60 Ugandans and establishing a partnership with local investors.
The infrastructure is in place. The mine is ready to operate.
But there is one major problem: the company is still waiting for a mining licence.
The delay was acknowledged publicly by State Minister for Minerals Phiona Nyamutoro during a visit to the site, where she inspected the investment and admitted that the licensing process had taken longer than expected.
Nyamutoro said the government was reviewing the licensing system and promised that the matter would be addressed within two months.
“This has demonstrated quite a potential investment that we should support,” Nyamutoro said. “I have committed that there has been a lag in licensing. We are undergoing a review of the process at ministerial level and, in a period of two months, we should be able to issue a proper licence.”
The Runjin case has once again brought attention to concerns about delays in Uganda’s mining licensing process.
For years, investors and artisanal miners have complained about lengthy procedures, multiple approval requirements and delays involving different government agencies, particularly in securing environmental approvals.
Nyamutoro said the Ministry was now discussing possible reforms with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), including the establishment of a dedicated desk to specifically handle mining-related applications.
“We are in discussions with NEMA to see how best we can come to a harmonised point,” she said. “We are asking them to constitute a particular desk that handles mining issues so that the bureaucracy is reduced.”
If implemented, the proposed arrangement could help speed up approvals for mining projects and reduce delays that have often left investors waiting despite having already committed significant resources to their projects.
For Runjin Mining Holdings, however, the immediate test will be whether the promised licence is issued within the next two months.
The company says it has already demonstrated its commitment to working with Ugandans through its local partnership model.
Johny Sasirwe, a Strategic Ugandan Partner at Runjin Mining Holdings, said the company allows local partners to negotiate for a significant stake in its mining projects.
“The Canadians want, for a mine like this, for you to take like 2%, but for Runjin Mining Holdings, you can negotiate with them for up to 30 or 40%,” Sasirwe said. “They are easy to work with because they are negotiating very nicely.”
The investment has also raised hopes among members of the Tiira community, which has long been associated with artisanal and open-pit mining.
Paul Angesu, Chairperson of the Tiira Landlords and Artisanal Miners Association, said established mining companies could help introduce safer and more modern mining practices while creating employment opportunities for adults.
“We need more of these developers,” Angesu said. “They are bringing new technologies. These developers are also going to help the Government to eliminate the element of school dropouts by not employing children under the age of 18.”
With more than 60 Ugandans already employed and the mine infrastructure complete, attention will now turn to whether the government delivers on its promise.
Minister Nyamutoro has set a clear two-month timeline.
