Sydney, Australia | NEWS CORRESPONDENT | Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, Dorothy Samali Hyuha, has led her country’s charge at the ongoing International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC 2026) in Sydney, turning diplomatic engagement into a direct pitch for mining investment.
Having attended the previous edition primarily as observers, Uganda returns in 2026 as an active participant, with Hyuha heading a delegation that includes Commissioner Vincent Kedi from the Ministry responsible for minerals and Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum. Officials said the team reflects a coordinated approach to economic diplomacy, uniting diplomatic leadership, government expertise and private-sector representation.
“Our presence at IMARC 2026 is about positioning Uganda where global investment decisions are being shaped. We have come to engage the investors, technology providers and industry leaders whose expertise and capital can help unlock the potential of Uganda’s minerals sector. Uganda is open for investment, and we are taking that message directly to the international marketplace,” said Hyuha, whose mission is clear: position Uganda where global investment decisions are made.
Her participation comes as the global resources industry navigates growing demand for critical minerals, evolving supply chains and increasing expectations around sustainability—developments she says create openings for Uganda to attract investment into exploration, extraction, processing, infrastructure and related industrial activities.
Uganda’s mineral potential includes gold, copper, cobalt, iron ore, graphite, rare earth elements and other industrial minerals. But Hyuha argues the country’s proposition extends well beyond what lies beneath the ground.
“We welcome investors who recognise that Uganda’s mineral wealth presents opportunities beyond extraction. We want partnerships that strengthen local capacity, encourage value addition, transfer technology and position Uganda more competitively within international mineral supply chains.”
The High Commissioner stressed that economic diplomacy must deliver more than visibility. “It must create connections between Uganda’s opportunities and the institutions capable of financing, developing and sustaining productive enterprises. Our objective is to build partnerships that contribute to industrial growth, employment and long-term economic value for Uganda.”
Her delegation’s message was reinforced by Commissioner Kedi, who noted that geological resources alone do not create an industry. “Investment, technical expertise, infrastructure and effective project development are essential to converting that potential into productive mining operations,” he said, adding that Uganda must increasingly focus on value addition, mineral processing and skills development.
Asiimwe, of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, said the global mining industry is highly competitive and “investment capital follows credible opportunities.” He stressed that the investment Uganda seeks “should build an industry, not merely develop individual mines,” with Ugandan companies participating in supply chains and young people acquiring specialised skills.
IMARC 2026 opened with participation from senior Australian officials, including NSW Premier Chris Minns and Federal Minister for Resources Madeleine King, coinciding with the release of the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals Skills Plan. The delegation also engaged with mining technology providers, including a visit to the SensorMine exhibition stand.
While long-term value will depend on sustained follow-up and project development, Uganda’s presence in Sydney communicates a clear ambition to become a more competitive destination for mining investment and a stronger participant in global mineral value chains.
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