Rwenzori Rare Metals Limited
Also known as Makuutu Rare Earths Project
The Makuutu project in eastern Uganda is the country's most advanced rare earths development and the first real test of Ugandan regulation of a critical minerals asset.
- Commodity
- Rare earth elements from ionic clays
- Primary sites
- Makuutu, across Mayuge, Bugweri and Bugiri
- Ownership
- Ionic Rare Earths and Ugandan partners
- Stage
- Development, staged production plan
- Status
- Mining licence and development phase
UMT assessment
Ionic clay deposits are shallow and low grade, which changes the community equation: the mine footprint moves across farmland rather than sinking into one shaft. Land access agreements, not headline resource figures, will decide whether Makuutu holds.
The value question for Uganda is whether any separation or refining happens in country, or whether concentrate leaves and the margin with it. That is a licensing and policy decision, not a company one.
Community record
The project area covers active smallholder agriculture. Compensation frameworks and progressive rehabilitation of mined blocks are the terms worth watching in the development agreement.
Profiles are compiled from public licence records, ministry statements and UMT reporting. Company statements are attributed as claims. Corrections and right of reply: see our contact page.
DR Congo concentrate ban raises the stakes for Uganda
Charity Mugisha · August 6, 2026
Makuutu drawn into Western critical minerals planning
Dr. Julius Kaka · August 4, 2026
Busoga resettlement exposure under rare earths licence
Doreen Adong · July 29, 2026
Graphite interest runs ahead of the drilling
Isaac Okot · June 20, 2026
Makuutu Rare Earths secures 21-year licence
Timothy Waiswa · July 18, 2023