President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the Wagagai Gold Mining Project in Busia District, hailing it as a transformative milestone that will end the wasteful export of raw minerals and usher Uganda into an era of full value addition.
Speaking at the launch, the President congratulated Wagagai Mining (U) Co., Ltd. for setting up a state-of-the-art refinery capable of producing gold of 99.99% purity. He noted that, for decades, Uganda exported blister copper and other minerals that had to be refined abroad before being re-imported, a cycle that cost the country significant revenue.
“I want to thank Wagagai for listening to my message from the beginning and fully processing the gold. Uganda will now earn more money,” the President said. He cautioned that exporting unprocessed minerals amounts to cheating the nation and urged artisanal miners to partner with Wagagai to refine their gold locally. Refined gold, he added, can be used in jewellery, electronics, and other industries, making Uganda more competitive.
The President also commended China for its continued support to Uganda through both private investment and concessional financing for infrastructure projects. He reminded Ugandans that revenues from non-renewable resources like gold and oil must be invested in durable assets such as power stations and railway lines.
“This mineral money must give us permanent and most durable assets,” he emphasised. “To truly wake up in the minerals sector, we must add full value to all our resources — gold, lithium, tin, and others. Why? Because it earns more money, creates jobs, and consumes more electricity.”
China’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Zhang Lizhong, praised the project as a symbol of China–Uganda friendship and a driver of industrial progress. He applauded Uganda for creating a conducive investment environment that enables partnerships such as Wagagai’s to thrive.
Energy and Mineral Development Minister Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa described the project as a reflection of the government’s commitment to value addition and job creation. She confirmed that the refinery is capable of producing gold at 99.99% purity and thanked Parliament for passing the regulatory framework that made it possible.
Wagagai Gold Mining General Manager, Tan Jiuchang, said the $150 million investment in Phase I is part of a larger $250 million plan to establish Uganda’s biggest and most technologically advanced gold mine. He noted that the project has already created more than 2,000 jobs and aligns with the President’s vision of transforming Uganda’s economy.
“Busia has long been known as the cradle of artisanal miners. With this refinery, small-scale miners now have an opportunity to improve their livelihoods. We encourage them to register and work with us, as this project will provide both income and training,” Jiuchang said.
The Wagagai Gold Mine, located in Alupe, Busia District, spans 9.224 square kilometres and holds proven reserves of 30 million tons of gold ore with an average grade of 0.8–1 gram per ton. At full capacity, it will process 5,000 tons of ore per day — about 1.5 million tons annually — producing 1.2 tons of refined gold per year at 99.99% purity. The mine is expected to contribute around $10 million annually in tax revenue, generate over 5,000 jobs, and train more than 500 skilled Ugandans.