By VOM News Team
Mining of Iron ore and Gold in Bukimbiri County is bringing quick development to the area however some individuals are suffering from the negative impacts of such developments in the area.
Byaruhanga Alex, commonly known as lad says SINO Trucks working on an iron ore site being managed by JAF IMPEX Company have for the last two months, been dumping soil in his garden which has resulted in the loss of his charcoal burning business.
Byaruhanga says, the company through their manager who has been identified as Saaba promised to compensate him for the loss of economic activity on the land however, nothing has been done.
Iron ore is mined and excavated from three sites in Bukimbiri and taken to Muko and later taken to Kenya for export.
The area LC I Chairperson Erasmus Twinamasiko says he was not aware of Byaruhanga’s complaint.
Twinamasiko commended the mining company for creating employment and constructing a road which the town council had completely failed to do.
He noted that the SINO trucks leave a lot of dust in their wake however plans to secure a vehicle meant to spray the roads with water is underway.
Uganda spends over 360 million US dollars annually on the importation of steel, with at least 70 per cent on importation of coils and billets products. Some 30 per cent is spent on finished iron and steel products, the firm said.
Uganda has confirmed iron ore deposits of over 500 million Tonnes. These include Hematite iron ore found in Muko in Kabale and Kisoro districts of southwestern Uganda, and magnetite iron ore in Sukulu and Bukusu in Tororo District in eastern Uganda.
JAF IMPEX which operates out of Muko could not be contacted for a comment as their managers, Saaba and Osbert did not pick up their known telephone numbers.
Open Gold mine, death traps.
The family of an 11-year Derrick Iransubiza, who died from drowning after falling into mining hole last week have called on the Government to respond to the issue of illegal gold mining in Kabitojo Village along river Ruhezamyenda that is a danger to people and the environment.
Iransubiza, was a pupil at Ikamiro Primary School at the time of his death.
A Police report says, the minor fell into a mining hole on the 4th of August 2023 while returning from school. The hole was covered with water where he drowned and died.
Niyonzima Benon, the grandfather and caretaker of the deceased child said Government needs to teach people how to cover mining holes before more people lose their lives.
Enock Tumusiime, the chairperson of Bukimbiri Artisanal miners, a group of 40 gold miners said they are doing their best to cover all open mining holes.
They also called upon Government to support them with a factory where they can clean the gold and sell it at a better price.
Gold mining in Bukimbiri is to a larger extent done illegally, with little to no Government monitoring.
Peaceful Demonstration in the pipeline
Tuhimbaze Lameech of Nyanamo Community Conservation and Development Organization says Mining activities in Bukimbiri are good for development however Government needs to remember to protect the environment and the people who are suffering because such activities.
According to Lameech, the people need environmental justice, and this can only be achieved by authorities sensitizing the public on the importance of covering gold mine holes as well as not encroaching on wetlands like River Ruhezamyenda.
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