Uganda Police, through the Mineral Protection Unit, has deployed an enforcement team to implement a directive from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development ordering gold miners in Mugobwa-Katuugo, Kassanda District, to vacate the mining site.
By 10 a.m., miners had already begun leaving the area after being informed by police officers the previous day that they were required to vacate by 2 p.m. or face forceful eviction.
Leaders from Mugobwa-Katuugo have, however, challenged the directive, arguing that they possess the necessary qualifications and operate within the legal framework governing small-scale mining.
"We are not illegal miners. We have the knowledge and capacity to operate, but this directive is affecting our livelihoods," said one of the miners.
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The enforcement has disrupted operations, with miners expressing concern over sudden displacement and financial losses.
Speaking to The Nile Post, Justus Omara, the manager of the Mugobwa-Katuugo miners, said the eviction order has paralysed their activities and appealed for government reconsideration.
"This sudden eviction has paralysed our work. Many families depend on this site for survival, and we have nowhere else to go," Omara said.
Another miner, Lumumba Zubail, said they were not given adequate time to prepare for the evacuation.
"We were not given enough time to prepare. We are leaving behind property and investments. The government should give us more time," he said.
Dr Fulugye Mukasa, Chairperson of the Mugobwa-Katuugo Miners Association, maintained that the group is operating legally under the Ministry's small-scale mining guidelines.
"We are following all the guidelines set by the Ministry for small-scale mining. We are not operating illegally," Dr Mukasa said.
He called for dialogue between the miners and government authorities instead of immediate eviction.
"There is a clear framework for small-scale miners, and we believe we fall within it. The ministry should engage us instead of evicting us," he added.
Dr Mukasa further appealed for more time to allow miners to safely evacuate their equipment and belongings.
"At the very least, we need enough time to safely remove our equipment and belongings," he said, proposing that miners be given until Sunday at 12 p.m. to vacate fully.
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Wamala Region Police Spokesperson, Lameck Kigozi, confirmed that the enforcement exercise is underway to ensure compliance with the government directive.
"Our role is to ensure that the directive is implemented peacefully and in an orderly manner," Kigozi said.
He urged miners to comply, warning that security forces would use lawful means to enforce the order if resistance continues.
"We urge all miners to cooperate with authorities. Any form of resistance may compel us to use reasonable force," he warned.
Earlier, on March 13, the Mineral Protection Unit, led by Deputy Commander Julius Tusingwire, met miners and communicated the ministry's directive instructing them to vacate the site over allegations of illegal mining activities.
