Africa-Press – Uganda. Uganda is taking a decisive step into mineral value addition. Eco Concrete Ltd, a company holding mineral prospecting licenses, has established the country’s first Lapidary facilities following the discovery of a gemstone deposit in Kisoro District.
The move is expected to reshape Uganda’s gemstone industry, create jobs, and reduce reliance on imported jewelry.
The unveiling of the facilities will take place during the Minerals Conference on September 24, 2024, at Kampala Serena Hotel.
The event, convened by the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals (UCEM) in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, marks the first formal recognition of Lapidary as a strategic industry for Uganda.
Lapidary facilities are specialized workshops where raw gemstones are cut, shaped, and polished into finished jewelry or decorative products.
Traditionally, most of Uganda’s gemstones have been exported in raw form, fetching minimal returns.
By processing them locally, the country can significantly increase their value, open new markets, and build a domestic jewelry industry that caters to both local and international demand.
Eco Concrete Ltd’s managing director, Dr Apollo Buregyeya, said the decision to invest in Lapidary stemmed directly from field discoveries.
“We add value to the stones, polish them, and create beautiful jewelry that Ugandans and tourists can afford. It is time to stop exporting raw wealth and start building an industry around it,” he said.
Kisoro District, located in the mineral-rich southwestern highlands, is known for deposits of quartz, tourmaline, and amethyst. Until now, much of this potential remained untapped due to the absence of processing facilities.
The Lapidary facilities also serve as a training center for gemology, equipping Ugandan youth with skills in gemstone identification, grading, cutting, and polishing.
Jessy Kiggala, one of the first trainees, said, “This opportunity has changed my life. I can now see a future in gemstones.”
Buregyeya also highlighted the financial potential of properly graded and certified gemstones, noting they could serve as collateral for loans, thereby injecting liquidity into local economies.
The initiative has drawn praise from experts across the continent. Zambian gemologist James Mazimba said, “Africans must add value to their minerals. Uganda’s Lapidary program is a turning point that will create jobs, stimulate growth, and open up international markets.”
Challenges remain, including inadequate equipment, limited space, and low awareness of gemstone value among miners and local communities.
Yet, with policy support from the Ministry of Energy and the convening power of UCEM, stakeholders believe these hurdles can be overcome.
At the September 24 launch, Eco Concrete Ltd will showcase a range of gemstones, including quartz, ruby, emerald, aquamarine, zircon, garnet, tourmaline, topaz, amethyst, opal, and beryl.
For Uganda, this initiative signals a shift from exporting unprocessed raw materials to building industries that capture value locally.
For young people like Jessy Kiggala, it represents new livelihood opportunities. For policymakers, it is an early test of whether Uganda can turn resource wealth into inclusive growth.
As UCEM and the Ministry of Energy convene stakeholders at Serena Hotel, one message will be clear: Uganda is ready to polish its minerals and, in doing so, polish its future.
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