Uganda has become a significant player in East Africa’s gold sector, with growing production, refining capacity and export potential. For buyers interested in sourcing raw gold, nuggets, dust or semi-processed gold from Uganda, there are compelling opportunities — but also serious regulatory and compliance issues that must be addressed. This guide provides an overview of how to buy raw gold from Uganda, what “raw gold” means in this context, what legal/licensing requirements apply, how to verify purity and documentation, the export environment, and the major risks and best practices.

What “Raw Gold” Means in Uganda

In the Ugandan context, “raw gold” typically refers to gold in one of these forms:

• Gold nuggets, gold dust or fragments extracted by artisanal or small scale mining (ASM) operations.
• Unrefined gold or dore bars that have not yet been fully processed or refined to market-ready purities (e.g., < 99.9% purity).
• Semi-processed bars or gold that may still require smelting, refining or assay certification.

Because it is not fully refined, raw gold typically carries a lower premium compared to investment-grade refined bullion, but it also presents greater risk and complexity in terms of verification, documentation and export eligibility.

Why Consider Buying Raw Gold from Uganda

Some of the attractions for buyers include:

• Access to abundant gold deposits in regions such as Busia, Mubende, Karamoja, Buhweju and others.
• Potential cost advantage by sourcing closer to the mine or the mine-to-dealer level rather than fully refined bars.
• Opportunity to refine, process, export or trade downstream (if you have refining capabilities or resale channels).
• Growing infrastructure in Uganda supporting mining, refining and export processes.

However, these opportunities must be weighed against the regulatory, purity and export challenges.

Legal & Regulatory Framework in Uganda

Understanding the legal context is crucial:

• Licensing & Dealership: To legally participate in purchase/sale of minerals (including gold) one must have the appropriate license- e.g., a Mineral Dealer’s License (or equivalent) under the entity[“legislation”, “Mining and Minerals Act, 2022”, 0].
• Export Restrictions: The Ugandan Government has moved to ban export of unrefined (non-processed) gold. For example, in May 2024 a regulation was published that mandates that exported gold must meet a minimum purity of 99.9% and prohibits export of unprocessed gold.
• Assay & Value Addition Policy: Uganda encourages processing/refining within the country rather than simply exporting raw ore or gold.
• Export & Tax/Levy Regime: Export of gold incurs levies or taxes. For example, a $200 per kilogram levy (or more) for refined gold export has been indicated. Export of unrefined gold may be prohibited or subject to higher tax.
• Trade Monitoring & Smuggling Prevention: The government has stepped up oversight of gold trade to combat illicit exports, smuggling and undeclared shipments.

Key Steps to Buy Raw Gold from Uganda

If you plan to buy raw gold from Uganda, here is a suggested step-by-step process:

1. Supplier Verification
   • Confirm the supplier (mine, dealer or miner) holds a valid mineral/dealer license with the Directorate of Geological Survey & Mines (DGSM) or relevant authority.
   • Verify the mining origin or supply chain of the gold (which mine, pit or region).
   • Check any local references, address and business registration.
2. Assay & Testing of Gold
   • Prior to full commitment, ensure the gold has been tested by a certified laboratory in Uganda (or internationally). Uganda has approved assay facilities.
   • Confirm the weight, fineness and physical characteristics (nugget, dust, bar).
   • For raw gold especially, inspect for contamination or dilution.
3. Documenting the Purchase
   • Acquire a formal invoice or sale agreement from the seller.
   • Ensure you receive or the seller obtains a Certificate of Origin or equivalent documentation of legal sourcing.
   • Check for any export permit or documentation required if you plan to ship the gold internationally.
4. Payment Terms & Risk Management
   • Structure payment in a secure way: escrow or bank transfer to verified account rather than large upfront cash if possible.
   • Minimize risk by doing a small trial purchase initially, verifying process, supply chain and legitimacy.
5. Export & Shipping Considerations (if applicable)
   • If you intend to export the gold from Uganda, ensure compliance with the latest export regulations (e.g., requirement for 99.9% purity or only refined gold permitted).
   • Confirm carrier, logistics, customs clearance and export permit.
   • Ensure you are not purchasing gold that cannot legally be exported (because of raw/unrefined status or missing documentation).

Purity, Quality & What to Check

For raw gold you buy in Uganda, check the following:

• Purity/fineness: what percentage of gold content is it? Raw gold may be 90-95% or less before refining.
• Physical form: dust, nuggets, bars; each has different handling, value and processing needs.
• Weight and scale accuracy: ensure accurate scales, sealed/reliable packaging or handling.
• Traceability: ability to trace back to the mine or mining operation.
• Assay certificate from recognized lab showing weight, content, serial number if applicable.

Risks and Cautions

Buying raw gold in Uganda comes with heightened risks. Some of these include:

• Legal/Regulatory Risk: If the transaction lacks proper licensing or documentation, you may face seizure, export prohibition, or legal issues.
• Purity and Value Risk: Raw gold may have lower than claimed purity or impurities, reducing value or making refining more complex.
• Export/Shipment Risk: If gold cannot legally be exported (due to raw status or regulatory ban), you cannot convert your purchase into global trade.
• Fraud/Scam Risk: As with many mineral markets, unverified sellers, false paperwork or fake gold are possibilities. For example: “If it looks too good to be true it probably is… 89 % of the people claiming to have gold will scam you.”
• Logistics & Security: Transporting and storing gold from Uganda (or within Uganda) requires high security, insurance and logistics safeguards.

Market Conditions & Export Context

• Uganda’s gold export value rose significantly in recent years. For example, exports jumped more than ten-fold in 2023 to about US$2.3 billion.
• The government requires value addition (refining) and has introduced policies to discourage export of unprocessed/unrefined gold.
• Dealers must keep up to date with dynamic regulatory changes, export levies, customs obligations and licensing.

Recommended Best Practices for Buyers

• Always start with a small pilot purchase to validate the supplier, process and documentation.
• Engage a trusted local advisor or consultant familiar with Uganda’s mining/mineral export sector.
• Use secure payment channels and avoid large cash transfers without verification.
• Ensure you obtain and retain all documentation: assay certificates, licences, export documentation, invoice.
• Consider refining/processing options in Uganda (if legal) before export to align with country policy on value addition.
• Make sure your country of import recognizes the gold origin and has no sanctions or entry barriers for gold from Uganda.

Conclusion

There is legitimate raw gold for sale from Uganda — including nuggets, dust and semi-processed forms — and with the right diligence, buyers can access these supplies. However, due to regulatory changes (especially bans on unrefined gold exports), significant licensing/tracing requirements, and high risk of fraud, any buyer must proceed with caution and full compliance. When done correctly, purchasing raw gold from Uganda can be a viable part of an investment or trade portfolio — provided the supply chain is transparent, legally compliant, and the product is appropriately verified and documented.