By Ronald Orachwun

The government has confirmed the discovery of five new mineral potential targets in the three districts in greater Nebbi.

The discovery follows a recent airborne physical mapping conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral development.

According to a recent document authored by Vincent Kedi, the assistant commissioner for license administration at the energy ministry’s mines department, the newly discovered mineral potential targets include; gold in Goli hill in Nebbi district and in Nyagak valley in Zeu Sub County in Zombo district.

Others are Iron ore in Panyango in Pakwach district andin Kucwiny Sub County in the neighboring Nebbi district.

Phiona Nyamutoro, the Minister of state for Mineral development at a recent event said the minerals have a potential to propel development in greater Nebbi.

“We want to thank God for the minerals that have been discovered in this region. They add to the many other minerals that government has discovered in other parts of the country. Just to mention a few, there is actually gold in Goli hill in Nebbi and in Nyagak valley especially the part in Zeu Sub County Zombo district. Iron Ore is also in Panyango in Pakwach and in Kucwiny in Nebbi and other minerals like geothermal site currently being developed in Pakwach district especially when you move to Panyimur”, she said.

 “So with all these and other minerals not mentioned, we believe Alur land has got an avenue that will enable mineral development upscale and anchor rapid growth in this region.” She added.

According to the same document authored by Vincent Kedi from the Ministry of energy and mineral development, canite has also been discovered in Azi hill in Nebbi district and in Panyango in Pakwach district, including nickel in Kango Sub County in Zombo district.

Also, currently under development is the geothermal site in Panyimur in Pakwach district for the production of thermal power.

Emmanuel Urombi, the LC5 Chairperson of Nebbi district has appealed to the local population to avoid unnecessary disposal of their land where the mineral deposits have been discovered,

“I really don’t want to doubt anything because when the government says minerals have been discovered, there should be an official communication in that regard, but we haven’t got anything. But the ministry of minerals has been coming to Nebbi district to train us on the issues of mineral exploration including oil deposits. What it means for us is that the future is bright but that is in the connotation. But in the layman’s language what we are saying is that can we patiently wait for this and also at the same time, our people who are fond of unnecessarily selling off their land should be on the lookout otherwise they will start complaining that their plots bought cheaply and yet they have already carried out the transaction. Let’s be patient,”he said.

The government in November last year announced 18 new mineral potentialacross the country.

Recent airborne geophysical mapping integrated with geological surveys, reveal promising targets for investors in various sectors.

This breakthrough underscores Uganda’s vast mineral wealth and the government’s commitment to leveraging these resources for socio-economic development.

The mineral potential targets span a spectrum of valuable resources, including nickel, gold, chromite, marble, Kimberlite, copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, limestone, phosphate, iron ore, titanium, and vermiculite.

Notably, the Ministry of Energyalso confirmed the presence of gold in Moroto, as well as nickel in Iganga gabbro intrusion. These discoveries are expected to diversify Uganda’s mineral portfolio, providing ample opportunities for investment and growth.

“Now the mapping initiative also revealed additional gold deposits in the Kaliro-Ivukula area, and this will enhance the government’s standing in the gold market. Iron ore reserves in Buhara-Kabale and Butogota, Kanungu district, have also been identified, contributing to the growing importance of Uganda in the global iron ore sector,” she revealed.

Meanwhile, Edward Pacutho Mweze, the chairperson of Production, environment and natural resources in Pakwach district says there is need for more consultations with members of the local communities where the minerals have been discovered.

“You know those minerals have been there long time ago which is not a problem. The only thing is that this current government when it wants to start using those things, they are not here on the ground for us. Like in Pacego in Pakwach they were stopping people from using their land because of the minerals and people never knew that minerals are available in that land. Those things are workable but the Ministry of energy has to come down to the local people and sit down for dialogues to see how we can harmonize few things rather than chasing people to leave their areas and yet that is the same land they have been using since childhood,” he said.