The chairman of the Governing Council Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals, Mr. Aggrey Ashaba, has called on Ugandans to stop labeling gold mining as an illegal activity, emphasizing that it is a legitimate business sector. His comments came during a joint press briefing held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala to announce the upcoming Energy Convention 2025. The event will take place at the Serena International Conference Center in Kampala on the 29th to 30th of April.
Mr. Ashaba explained that gold trading, like any other business in Uganda, is a legal and regulated industry, akin to trading in fuel or other commodities. He urged Ugandans to dismiss the misconception that engaging in the gold trade is illegal. “Gold is just another commodity, and cross-border trade is as legal as trading in oil from Tanzania or buying pineapples and apples from Kenya,” he said. He also pointed out that the perception that gold sourced from countries like Congo, South Sudan, or northern Tanzania is somehow illicit is completely inaccurate.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM), Mr. Humphrey Asiimwe, shared that the upcoming energy convention is expected to attract over 1,000 participants from around the world. The event will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and stakeholders to discuss Uganda’s evolving energy landscape.
The theme for this year’s convention is “Integrating Oil and Gas with Renewable Energy for Uganda’s Sustainable Future.” The convention will focus on a variety of critical topics, including:
- Strategies for integrating oil and gas with renewable energy
- Unlocking investment opportunities in energy transition
- Enhancing local content and capacity building
- Leveraging digital technologies for energy efficiency
- Promoting public-private partnerships in infrastructure development
- Aligning Uganda’s energy transition with regional and global climate goals
- Exploring the synergy between oil, gas, and renewable energy for Uganda’s sustainable future
This gathering aims to foster collaboration and innovation, ensuring a sustainable and balanced energy future for Uganda.
