news 4 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Police Shut Down Namayingo Gold Rush Amidst Fatal Collapses and Sanitation Crisis
Authorities have forcibly closed an illegal gold mining operation in Namayingo that attracted thousands, citing deadly pit collapses and a severe sanitation crisis. The abrupt shutdown halts a month-long gold rush that transformed a remote village into a hazardous encampment. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/police-shut-down-namayingo-gold-rush-after-deadly-collapses-sanitation-crisis-5485566
Police have ordered an estimated 10,000 artisanal miners and fortune-seekers to vacate Mabuka Village on Bukana Island following a chaotic month-long gold rush. The operation, backed by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the Mineral Police Protection Unit, shut down the illegal mining activities due to severe safety and sanitation concerns.
The gold rush began unexpectedly over a month ago when a local farmer discovered gold ore, sparking a rapid influx of individuals from across Uganda seeking quick riches. However, the operation was entirely unauthorized, lacking the necessary legal permits from the government.
Commander Cephas Wanjala of the Eastern Regional Mineral Police stated that the unlicensed mining posed significant public safety risks, particularly due to the unsafe digging of pits. Regulations mandate specific spacing for pits to ensure structural integrity, but desperate miners dug them too close together, leading to fatal collapses. One miner died and two were injured on May 27, followed by another incident just days later where eight miners were trapped and narrowly rescued.
Beyond structural dangers, the influx of thousands into an area with no basic sanitation raised fears of disease outbreaks. Authorities were concerned about potential epidemics of waterborne and infectious diseases due to the lack of facilities and clean water.
Under Uganda’s Mining and Minerals Act of 2022, all mineral rights belong to the state, and unauthorized extraction is illegal, carrying penalties of up to Shs1 billion or five years in prison. While the area contains gold deposits, no mining license has been issued; an exploration license is held by a Chinese firm, Zhong Hong Limited.
The closure has left many small-scale traders and former fishermen, who invested their savings or turned to mining due to economic hardship, facing financial ruin and uncertain futures. The eviction also saw opportunistic looting by local youth targeting wealthier miners.
The government emphasizes that while Ugandans can apply for mining permits, all operations must adhere to legal frameworks and maintain order. The situation highlights the challenge of balancing resource exploitation with the economic needs of local populations.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)