Uganda: residents decry lack of consultation over mining licence award

Residents of Moroto district have accused Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of acting illegally in awarding a mining licence to Tororo Cement without first consulting local communities, the Daily Monitor reports.

Local people have protested against Tororo’s limestone mining operations in Kosiroi by blocking trucks from entering or leaving the site. They accuse the company of having operated for 15 years without signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with their community.

A spokesperson for Tororo said that the company had invited residents to draw up an MoU, but that one had not been forthcoming. This was disputed by locals, who said that they had produced a draft but were awaiting Tororo’s help in facilitating the process.