Uganda has emerged as one of Africa’s fastest-rising gold exporters, with export earnings from the precious metal reaching a record US$5.8 billion (about Shs21.1 trillion) in the year ending November 2025, according to figures from the Bank of Uganda.
The surge has firmly placed gold at the centre of Uganda’s mineral economy and reflects a growing shift away from raw mineral exports toward value addition, refining, and deeper integration into global bullion markets.
Beyond gold, Uganda is endowed with a wide range of strategic minerals, including coltan, tantalite, copper, diamonds, silver, limestone, uranium, and marble. Major mineral belts span Busia, Buhweju, Mubende, Kassanda, Karamoja, and West Nile, underpinning the country’s growing profile as a regional mining hub.