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The Polish-Ugandan Mining Sector Conference, held on November 21, 2025, at the Mestil Hotel in Kampala, marked a significant step toward enhanced bilateral cooperation in the mineral extraction industry. Organized by the Polish Embassy in Nairobi and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), in collaboration with the Polish Geological Institute (PIG), the event brought together over 250 attendees from government, business, and academia. The conference was officially opened by Poland’s Chief National Geologist, Undersecretary of State Krzysztof Galos, and Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa. Minister Nankabirwa underscored the immense potential for applying Poland’s extensive experience and advanced mining technologies in geologically promising Uganda, aligning the partnership with the Ugandan government’s top priority of modernizing its mining sector.
Following the opening ceremony, which saw the presence of Ambassador Mirosław Gojdź and the Honorary Consul Ephraim Kamuntu, the conference transitioned into three focused panels. These sessions addressed critical areas for sector development: business opportunities, financial solutions for mining projects, and research and education. The Polish delegation featured high-level representation from the KGHM Group, a major copper and silver producer, alongside academic and research heavyweights like the PGI, AGH University of Science and Technology, and the Łukasiewicz Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals. Ugandan stakeholders included key players such as the Chamber of Energy and Minerals, the State Mining Company, the Uganda Development Bank, and the Uganda Investment Authority, ensuring a comprehensive dialogue on opportunities and regulatory frameworks.
The day concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement that formally outlined the future directions for Polish-Ugandan cooperation. This strategic document prioritizes joint efforts in geological exploration, the transfer and application of advanced mining technologies, and educational programs aimed at skills development within the Ugandan sector. The prominent role of the KGHM Group was further highlighted by the accompanying local government mission from the Lower Silesia region, Poland, home to significant mining operations. Deputy Governor Jarosław Rabczenko co-chaired the official closing of the event with Irene Batebe, the Minister of Mining at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, cementing the provincial-level interest in the partnership.
In a practical extension of the conference’s agenda, Minister Galos, alongside representatives from PIG, AGH University, the Łukasiewicz Institute, KGHM, PAIH, and the embassy, embarked on a series of field visits from November 22-23. This mission focused on mining-related sites in southwestern Uganda, an area well-known for its abundant mineral resources, including deposits of copper, tin, tungsten, and iron. This on-site assessment underscores the seriousness of Polish interest in directly engaging with the Ugandan mining landscape. The high-profile event garnered extensive coverage in both local and Polish media, signaling its importance as a key economic and diplomatic engagement.
