THE ROLE OF MINERAL SECTOR DEVELOPMENT IN UGANDA

The mineral sector in Uganda has increasingly gained prominence as a strategic driver of economic growth and structural transformation. This study examines the role of mineral sector development in Uganda focusing on its contribution to economic growth, employment creation, revenue generation and infrastructure development. The study adopts a qualitative research design, relying on secondary data from government reports, policy documents and scholarly literature. Findings indicate that Uganda's mineral sector though underdeveloped historically has experienced significant policy and institutional reforms particularly following the enactment of the Mining and Minerals Act (2022). The sector contributes to GDP, supports livelihoods and has the potential to stimulate industrialization through value addition. However, challenges such as weak regulatory enforcement, environmental degradation, illegal mining and limited technological capacity persist. The study concludes that while the mineral sector holds immense potential for Uganda's socioeconomic transformation, its benefits are not yet fully realized due to governance and structural constraints. It recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks enhancing local capacity, promoting transparency and investing in value addition industries to maximize the sector's contribution to sustainable development.