Uganda’s Mining Sector: Can Community Development Agreements deliver a fair share?

What the report says

Uganda’s Independent reports that Community Development Agreements are emerging as a key tool in debates over whether mining communities should receive a fairer share of extractive wealth. The special report focuses on Rupa Sub-County in Moroto District, Karamoja, where residents were organized into a community trust to give them a stronger negotiating position with mining investors. The article says the aim is to move beyond ad hoc company donations and toward commitments that can support local jobs, services, women’s opportunities and longer-term development after mining ends.

The issue was discussed at a Nov. 6 national dialogue in Kampala, convened by UGEITI, ACODE, NRGI and UGAASM under the theme “From Mineral Wealth to Community Development.” Participants included government officials, civil society groups, academics, development partners and community representatives. According to the report, the discussion emphasized that publishing mineral-revenue figures is not enough unless communities can see whether benefits are reaching them and whether promises are being kept.

The article places this debate in the context of Uganda’s growing extractive sector. It cites the country’s Fifth EITI Report, launched in September, which put total extractive-sector revenues at about Shs663.24bn for 2023/24, with mining and quarrying contributing about Shs336.97bn. The piece says the 2022 Mining and Minerals Act requires qualifying mineral-right holders to negotiate CDAs with affected communities, including provisions for consultation, monitoring and dispute resolution.

The report argues that the success of CDAs will depend not only on the law but also on whether communities have enough organization and bargaining power to negotiate meaningfully and hold companies accountable.