Peter Wafula
Peter Wafula reports from Busia, Namayingo and the wider eastern gold belt, covering pit safety, licensing disputes and the daily economics of artisanal mining. His fieldwork underpins much of UMT's district-level reporting on how formalisation is experienced on the ground.
Based in Busia, Uganda
- Busia and Namayingo goldfields
- Mine safety
- Artisanal livelihoods
Reporting by Peter Wafula
- Community · May 19, 2026
Busia signs community development agreements with gold operators
Busia District has concluded community development agreements with licensed gold operators on the Lake Victoria Gold Belt, converting informal social commitments into written obligations covering water, roads and local hiring.
- Employment · April 19, 2024
Wagagai launches Uganda's first gold refinery
President Museveni commissioned Wagagai Mining's Alupe gold plant in April 2024, marking the country's first integrated large-scale gold mining and refining operation.
- Employment · August 2, 2023
Wagagai gold refinery to create 3,000 jobs in Busia
The Chinese-backed Wagagai Mining plant in Alupe, Busia is completing what officials describe as the country's first full gold value chain, from exploration through refining, with more than 3,000 direct jobs expected at full capacity.