Journalists trained to expose illicit mining in Uganda

6 November 2024, 10:32 pm

By Nakkazi Mercy

Kampala, Uganda – In a bid to combat illicit mining in Uganda, journalists from various media outlets have received training to enhance their reporting on the issue. The training, funded by the Resilience Fund and organised by Transparency Advocacy, a civil society organisation, aimed to raise awareness of the impact of illicit mining on society.

Illicit mining activities, including gold, sand, and salt extraction, are significant contributors to human rights abuses, environmental crimes, and legal violations in Uganda. Transparency Advocacy’s Tabitha Agaba led the sessions, focusing on transnational organised crime, particularly illegal mining. She highlighted the role of corruption, displacement of communities, and the importance of understanding legal frameworks such as the Mining and Minerals Act 2002 and the National Environmental Management Act 2019.

Namukasa Leonard, a media and development expert from InfoNile, encouraged journalists to apply their newfound knowledge to collaborate with government bodies and communities to raise awareness of the dangers of illicit mining. By working together, they can expose the truth and drive positive change.

“This training is a vital step in highlighting the illicit mining industry and its far-reaching consequences. Journalists are now better equipped to investigate and report on these issues, hold those responsible to account, and advocate for the rights of affected communities,” Namukasa emphasised.