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Policy Brief: The Impacts of Kilembe Mine and Tailing Sites on Soil and Water Quality, Foods, Forage and Humans

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Whereas River Nyamwamba in Western Uganda is well known for the destruction of property and loss of life whenever it overflows, the environmental effects are less known and could be more lethal

The mining and processing of copper in Kilembe, Western Uganda, from 1956 to 1982 left over 15Metric Tonnes of tailings containing cupriferous and cobaltiferous pyrite dumped within a mountain river valley. In addition, underground Kilembe mine water is pumped to the land surface or allowed to flow by gravity into surrounding agricultural soils and water bodies. The study was conducted in Kilembe mine, Kasese district to assess the impact of Kilembe mine and the wastes (tailings) on soil quality, water quality, foods frown, forage and local people exposure. The samples collected included soil, water, foods, forage,  sediments and toe nails from local volunteers.

Sample analysis was conducted from the school of biosciences, Nottingham University, UK. The study found high levels of metal concentration especially copper, cobalt, nickel, zinc, arsenic and lead in agricultural soils, public water sources, house dusts and sediments in water. Aluminium and Iron metals were more abundant in public water sources. The metals were not only originating from mine tailings but also underground Kilembe mine water. The leachate water at Kilembe mine also contain large amounts of metals especially copper, iron and aluminium.

The foods and forage grown contained significantly higher concentrations of copper, cobalt, zinc, possibly taken up during growth and accumulated in the foods which could lead to consumption of the same elements by local people. Indeed, tests on human toe nails from Kilembe area volunteers confirmed that local people were more exposed to the mine metals especially copper, cobalt and nickel. Children were more exposed than adults.

It is on this note that the following policy recommendations are made;

1.    There is need for enforcement of proper waste storage and disposal protocols
2.    Local people living in contaminated environments should be sensitized on the dangers so that they make informed decisions
3.    There is need for construction of a containment all around Kilembe tailing sites and land filling with soil so as to prevent erosion of tailings into agricultural soils and water
4.    There is urgent need to treat Kilembe mine underground water before it is discharged into River Nyamwamba
5.    There is need to implement remediation activities for soils along River Nyamwamba and below tailings

Summary of findings

Water quality
Over 25 % of domestic water samples collected and 40% of River Nyamwamba waters along the mine area and downstream exhibited Cobalt concentrations exceeding the Wisconsin (USA) drinking water thresholds of 40 μgL-1. Almost all water samples upstream of River Nyamwamba exceeded UK recommended Iron and Aluminium concentrations in drinking water. Most domestic water samples (67%) exceeded recommended drinking water thresholds for Aluminium, Iron and Cobalt.

Forage
Elevated concentrations of Iron, Cobalt, Copper, Zinc and Lead were found in forage grasses collected along the mine area and downstream. The high levels of metal in forage could affect the health of animals and will also be reflected in the milk and beef produced in Kilembe area exposing consumers to metals.

Human exposure
Trace elements concentrations (mg kg-1 dw) were found in toe nails of 15 adults and 12 children from the Kilembe copper mining district in Western Uganda. Control samples were from 5 children aged 9-14 years and 5 adults aged 20-60years. The toe nails clearly confirmed exposure of the local people with children being more exposed and affected than adults.

Please see Downloads for full policy brief.

A Documentary on the same can also be accessed at the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/gp1Bpk4LPmU

 

Article by Abraham R. Mwesigye (PhD), School of Forestry, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, Makerere University, Email: mwesigye[at]caes.mak.ac.ug

 

 

Mark Wamai

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Revised Advertisement for Positions of Principal and Deputy Principal at Makerere University

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An aerial shot of the Main Building, as taken by a drone over the Freedom Square with Left to Right: CHUSS, St. Francis, St. Augustine and CAES Buildings and the Kikoni area (Background) in view. Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University, Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning and one of Africa’s leading research universities, invites applications from suitably qualified and distinguished individuals for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal in the Colleges listed below. The University seeks visionary leaders with demonstrated academic excellence, strategic leadership, and a commitment to institutional transformation. This advertisement is for the positions of:

  1. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES)
  2. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES)
  3. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS)
  4. Principal and Deputy Principal, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity (CoVAB)
  5. Principal, College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS)
  6. Deputy Principal, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS).

Mode of application

Interested individuals for the positions of Principal and Deputy Principal should submit the following documents sealed in an envelope addressed to the University Secretary;

  1. A signed letter of application;
  2. Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
  3. The curriculum vitae of the candidate;
  4. Three (3) letters of recommendation;
  5. Copies of the required minimum number of publications;
  6. Copies of letters of appointment to leadership positions at the level of Head of Department and/or its equivalent or higher in a recognised institution comparable to Makerere University;
  7. A copy of the applicant’s national ID or passport; and
  8. A copy of the last letter of clearance from the Inspectorate of Government or other equivalent national body.

The deadline for applications is 6th July 2026 at 5:00 p.m. East African Time.

Applications should be hand-delivered to:

The University Secretary
Makerere University
Main Administration Building,
Level 2, University Secretary’s Office

Or submitted via email at search.principal@mak.ac.ug

Makerere is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, disability, or other legally protected status. The University is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and excellence in all its activities.

THIS ADVERT CANCELS THE EARLIER ISSUED ADVERT DATED 17TH JUNE 2026

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Makerere Launches Upgraded Financial Management System and Roadmap

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Prof. Tumps Ireeta - Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance & Administration) launch the roadmap for upgrading the Mak FMS in Council Room on 17th June2026.

Makerere University on 17th June 2026 launched the upgraded Financial Management System (Mak-FMS) and Implementation Roadmap aimed at ensuring paperless end-to-end transactions right from requisition to sign-off. Mak-FMS was initially launched on 10th July 2024 to automate requisition initiation and approval. The upgraded system will ensure that the hitherto paper-based payment voucher generation, examination, digital clearance, and sign off are completed digitally.

Presiding over the launch on behalf of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, the Principal, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS) Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta commended the Directorate of Finance and the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS) on the strides made in digitalisation of financial processes at Makerere. He nevertheless called for the need to make approvals time bound at each stage of the process to ensure that requisitions are sanctioned or deferred for additional input promptly.

The University Bursar, Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha informed attendees at the launch that the objective of the Mak-FMS upgrade was to ensure paperless transactions by 1st July 2026. He added that Champions had been appointed from colleges and administrative units, and will together with ICT Support Staff be trained by DICTS to support users during the transition.

Mr. Bainomugisha nevertheless noted that incorporation of Mak-FMS into Uganda’s Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) remains undone. He therefore called upon Finance Officers and Accountants to prudently ensure that the money committed on the Makerere system is charged to the appropriate Government code.

DICTS Chief, Mr. Samuel Mugabi reiterated that the upgraded system is not entirely new but is only aimed at further enhancing accountability and transparency of financial management for efficiency of Makerere’s business operations. He added that the upgraded Mak-FMS will be integrated with the recently rolled out Procurement System in a phased approach, especially as users increasingly get acquainted with the paperless working environment. He equally reiterated DICTS readiness to support the Directorate of Finance to ensure a holistic training of users.

Highlighting the ten-day Implementation Roadmap, DICTS Deputy Chief, Mr. Juma Katongole noted that launch of the upgraded Mak-FMS marked Day 1, while Day 2 will be dedicated to training Finance Officers, Accountants and ICT Support Staff and Day 3 to training Champions and more ICT Support Staff. Days 4 and 5 will be dedicated to Hands-on Training Sessions for College Bursars, Accountants and Champions, while Day 6 will feature University-wide pilot implementation of the upgraded Mak-FMS.

Day 7 of the roadmap will handle user support clinics and help desk sessions, while Day 8 will feature refresher training and a workshop on frequently encountered issues. A University-wide simulation exercise covering the end-to-end payment lifecycle will be held on Day 9 and Day 10 will host the readiness assessment meeting and go-live sign-off.

In order to ensure a smooth transition to a digital Mak-FMS, a help desk will remain operational throughout the period and user manuals as well as quick-reference videos will be developed and distributed on the University Knowledge Base and DICTS Social Media platforms.

Mark Wamai

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CHS Quality Assurance Guide Book

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An aerial photo of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Makerere University showing Left to Right: The Sir Albert Cook Memorial Library, School of Biomedical Sciences, Davies Lecture Theatre, School of Public Health, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital (MSWNH)-Background Left and Nakasero Hill-Background Right, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) QA Guidebook streamlines academic excellence, outlining essential quality processes, committee structures, and regulations aligned with Makerere University Policy and the 2004 Graduate Guidebook. It details roles for staff and students, including examination management, committee terms of reference, and highlights staff/student achievements.

Key Components of the QA Guidebook

  • Committees & Structure: Defines roles for the Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming, and ICT Committee, ensuring alignment with SDGs and university policies and NCHE
  • Examination QA Processes: Outlines procedures for setting, moderating, and marking exams, ensuring standards and ethical compliance.
  • Regulations & Guidelines: Based on the Makerere University Quality Assurance Policy Framework (2007) and Graduate Guidebook 2004 ensuring consistency across all programmes.
  • Roles & Responsibilities: Clearly defines the responsibilities of Deans, Heads of Departments, and Students in Internal Quality Assurance.
  • Key student information in academic processes.
  • Commitment to support graduate training.
  • Recognition & Faculty Development: Recognizes outstanding female professors and acknowledges staff who completed PhDs in 2024–2026

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