Balancing climate action and human rights: Uganda’s mining dilemma

As global demand for critical minerals intensifies, Uganda has become a focal point for extraction, especially in regions like Makuutu and Kilembe. Local communities, however, face displacement, environmental degradation, and lack of consultation, raising serious human rights concerns. The term “critical minerals” is increasingly used to justify rapid extraction, often sidelining environmental and social safeguards. The article warns that without accountability and inclusive decision-making, Uganda risks repeating past exploitation patterns under the guise of green progress.

Source: adapted from Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, August 2025.