Government Reopens Kassanda Gold Exploration Site After Four-Month Suspension

overnment Reopens Kassanda Gold Exploration Site After Four-Month Suspension

Fulugye Mukasa urged all prospectors to comply with government regulations

The government has reopened the Mugobwa Katuugo Gold Exploration Site in Kassanda District, allowing more than 3,000 artisanal prospectors to resume operations after a four-month suspension over licensing concerns.

The government has reopened the Mugobwa Katuugo Gold Exploration Site in Kassanda District, allowing thousands of artisanal prospectors to resume exploration activities after a four-month suspension.

More than 3,000 prospectors celebrated the decision after officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development communicated authorisation for them to return to the site.

The approval gives the prospectors a 12-month grace period to complete legal and administrative requirements needed to formalise their small-scale mineral exploration activities.

The reopening follows a suspension issued on April 11, 2026, when authorities from the Mineral Protection Police ordered prospectors to vacate the site after establishing that exploration activities were being conducted without the required licences.

The suspension affected thousands of people who depend on the site for their livelihoods.

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, leaders of the exploration site led by Fulugye Mukasa, together with officers from the Mineral Protection Police, held a meeting with prospectors to formally communicate the government’s decision.

Mukasa said exploration activities were allowed to resume after the government established that significant progress had been made towards meeting the required legal conditions.

“The government has allowed us to resume exploration activities because we have made significant progress in meeting the required legal and administrative conditions. Most of the requirements have now been fulfilled, and we have been given 12 months to complete the remaining processes,” Mukasa said.

He said the four-month suspension had severely affected thousands of people who rely on the exploration site for income.

“The period of suspension was extremely difficult. Many people lost their only source of income, businesses collapsed, and several parents failed to raise school fees for their children,” he said.

Mukasa thanked the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for allowing prospectors to return while guiding them through the formalisation process.

“We appreciate the Ministry for listening to our concerns, giving us another opportunity to continue with exploration activities, and guiding us through the formalisation process so that we can operate legally,” he said.

He urged all prospectors to comply with government regulations by joining recognised associations before participating in exploration activities.

“Every prospector must register with a recognised association because compliance with government regulations is now mandatory. This is the only way we can continue operating without interruption,” Mukasa emphasised.

Meanwhile, SSP Fred Kidima, Head of Operations at the Mineral Protection Police, commended the prospectors for maintaining peace during the suspension period.

“We appreciate all the prospectors for remaining calm and peaceful throughout the period when exploration activities were suspended,” SSP Kidima said.

He explained that the government’s approval allows prospectors to resume operations while completing outstanding legal requirements within the 12-month grace period.

“The Ministry has granted you a grace period of 12 months to complete all the required documentation. Use this opportunity responsibly and ensure that you comply with every requirement,” he said.

However, SSP Kidima warned that failure to comply with the law could result in renewed suspension of activities.

“This opportunity comes with responsibility. Anyone who fails to comply with the law or the conditions set by the Ministry risks having these activities suspended again,” he cautioned.

Several prospectors told Nile Post that the closure had affected their families, with many struggling to meet basic needs and pay school fees.

“The closure affected us so much. Some of us failed to pay school fees for our children, while others could no longer provide basic needs for their families. We thank the government for allowing us to resume exploration activities,” one prospector said.

The reopening of the site is expected to restore livelihoods for thousands of residents while allowing government to continue overseeing the formalisation of artisanal mineral exploration in Kassanda.