National Content Compliance Requirements Under the Mining and Minerals Act of Uganda
The Mining and Minerals Act 2022 Act has emphasised national content development through various provision and a mineral right/ licence or permit is issued subject to meeting such requirements explained hereunder.
- Recruitment, training and promotion plan
This includes a commitment to maximise knowledge transfer to Ugandan citizens and to establish in the country management and technical capabilities and any necessary facilities for technical work. The holder of a mineral right, licence or permit must within twelve months after the grant and on each subsequent anniversary of that grant, submit to the Minister for approval, a detailed programme for recruitment, training and promotion of Ugandans taking into account gender and equity and implementation of the programme is to be regularly monitored by the Directorate.
- Employment of Ugandan citizens
This requires a mineral rights holder, licensee, contractor or subcontractor to employ and train Ugandan citizens and implement a succession plan for the replacement of expatriate employees; conduct training programmes for the benefit of employees; undertake capacity building for the employees; only engage non-citizen technical experts in accordance with local standards for registration; work towards replacing technical non-citizen employees with citizens; provide a linkage with the universities for purposes of research and environmental management; have an organisation structure including the recruitment plan, staffing levels, percentage of jobs for Ugandan citizens during the course of the project; where applicable and necessary, facilitate and carry out socially responsible investment for the local communities; and implement a community development agreement.
- Priority of goods and services available in Uganda and the region
This requires a holder of a mineral right, licensee, contractor and subcontractor to give preference to goods which are produced or available in Uganda and services which are rendered by Ugandan citizens and companies owned by Ugandan citizens and to develop a plan for the procurement of goods and services available in Uganda and in particular within the area of operations, or where the goods and services are not available within the said area, then from sources based within the national jurisdiction of the operations. Where the goods and services are not available in Uganda, the mineral rights holder, licencee, contractors and subcontractors may source the goods and services from within the East African Community or a Member State of the African Union.
- Technology transfer
This includes a commitment by the holder to maximise technology transfer to Ugandans and to establish in Uganda, management and technical capabilities and any necessary facilities for technical work which shall be a shared responsibility between the Government and the holder of a mineral right, licensee, contractor and subcontractor. The holder of a mineral right, licensee, contractor and subcontractor is required to keep at the address in Uganda, accurate geological maps and plans, geophysical records, technical data and interpretations relating to the technology used.
