In East Africa, a two-month gold rush in Uganda has ended in a government crackdown, as authorities suspended mining in Kayungwe to curb illegal operations, protect the environment and bring informal bullion activity under state control.
Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has halted gold mining operations in Kayungwe sub-county, Kanungu district, citing unlicensed activity, environmental degradation and public health risks, according to local reports.
The move follows a two-month gold rush in Kanoni village, where hundreds of residents moved into a hilly area after reports of fresh gold deposits.
Subsequently, the site turned into an informal mining camp, with tents, makeshift shelters and iron-sheet structures erected without toilets, waste systems or basic environmental safeguards.
Local leaders had warned that the gold rush was hurting food security as residents abandoned farms for mining, while some children reportedly dropped out of school to join their parents at the site.
