[{"bbox": [97, 152, 1134, 230], "category": "Text", "text": "kg of gold per year) comes from ASM. The ASM sector is further coined by low usage of modern technology for mining and mineral beneficiation, low productivity and poor application of health, safety, and environmental standards."}, {"bbox": [97, 259, 988, 286], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Promoting socio-economic development through infrastructure investment and mining in Uganda"}, {"bbox": [97, 286, 1134, 525], "category": "Text", "text": "Due to its central location, Uganda has an opportunity to become a leader in regional value creation and trade integration through the effective integration the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA). Its future accession to the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement could help fostering regional economic integration. Both treaties offer opportunities for businesses based in Uganda to cater for growing economic demands in regional and continental markets. This is in line with Uganda's aspirations to expand trade as one of the drivers of economic growth, as well as its efforts to further integrate with the EAC. In addition, Uganda has created several guiding policies to create an enabling environment to tap this potential. The National Development Plan III (NDP III) 2020/21 – 2024/25 prioritizes infrastructure and mining as crucial pathways to elevate Uganda from a predominantly low-income country to a competitive upper middle-income nation."}, {"bbox": [97, 551, 1134, 734], "category": "Text", "text": "However, in order to enhance the economic transformation and prepare the ground for major investment decisions, identification, formulation, scoping/feasibility and/or any other preparatory studies of relevance need to be undertaken to support a pipeline of investments in sustainable infrastructure, through grants, blending and EFSD+ mechanisms. The thematic areas contemplated include tentatively: digitalisation, renewable energy, green industrialisation, smart mining, sustainable mobility, natural resources management, waste management and water & sanitation, environmental sustainability and climate action, and gender mainstreaming within the mentioned areas."}, {"bbox": [97, 763, 1134, 1081], "category": "Text", "text": "The Mining and Mineral Act of 2022 aims to consolidate the laws related to the mining sector. This provides the basis for administrative and institutional reforms to enhance governance and management of the sector, e.g. via streamlining of mineral rights acquisition, environmental regulations and local value addition. The Act also seeks to facilitate the issuing of licences for ASM operations, providing an opportunity for the formalization and regulation of the ASM sector. Moreover, as of 2020 Uganda became a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which seeks to address the key governance issues in the extractive sectors. Furthermore, the launch of the Regional Certification Mechanism (RCM) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) in 2023 underscores the country's dedication to responsible sourcing and ethical mining practices, as well as to regional cooperation. A revision of the RCM has been supported through the Regional Project on Peace and Security for Stability in the Great Lakes Region under 11EDF. In 2015, the Government of Uganda introduced another policy to promote value addition and industrialisation of the mining sector by banning the export of raw mineral concentrates."}, {"bbox": [97, 1107, 1134, 1160], "category": "Text", "text": "Uganda's efforts expressed by its policy framework have already translated into improved infrastructure, including transport networks and electricity generation, however, much more needs to be done."}, {"bbox": [97, 1187, 281, 1212], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Uganda and the EU"}, {"bbox": [97, 1213, 981, 1239], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU and Uganda are engaged in trade facilitation and investment promotion at several levels."}, {"bbox": [97, 1266, 1134, 1556], "category": "Text", "text": "Uganda's mining sector can also play a critical role for the EU to help it secure a reliable supply of critical raw materials. During his address at the 3rd EU-Uganda Business Forum, President Museveni has re-iterated the importance of value addition, while cautioning against the creation of non-tariff trade barriers through responsible sourcing requirements. Facilitated through the Global Gateway strategy, the EU and the Republic of Uganda are in discussions about closer cooperation in the mining sector, including the possibility of a strategic partnership on CRMs. The proposed Action therefore provides a strong potential to advance EU-Uganda discussions for bilateral partnerships on strategic raw materials in line with the Commissions foreign policy objectives, while also transforming Uganda's mining sector in accordance with the EU's responsible sourcing agenda. The Action thereby also creates ample opportunities to promote closer engagement with both government and private sector. Furthermore, the Action holds a strong potential for creating a closer coordination and alignment with existing EU-funded Actions."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 25"}]