KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ugandan government has proposed a new law to regulate earth scientists, aiming to establish standards and accountability in the profession.
The proposed Earth Scientists Registration Board Bill, 2024, seeks to create a framework for earth scientists, ensuring they meet required standards. The bill is a response to Parliament’s directive following the enactment of the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, according to Minister of State for Mineral Development, Phiona Nyamutooro.
Nyamutooro spoke Tuesday at the opening of a three-day national stakeholders’ meeting on the Earth Scientists Registration Board Bill at Fairway Hotel in Kampala. The meeting, organized by the geological survey department of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, brought together key stakeholders in the earth sciences sector to discuss the proposed bill and its implications.
“The meeting is a requirement by the government to undertake consultations with stakeholders prior to the approval of any legislation,” Nyamutooro said. “I encourage participants to share knowledge and finalize this bill for presentation to the Cabinet.”
Ms. Loyola R Karobwa, senior legal officer at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, said the consultative workshop aims to finalize the Earth Scientists Registration Board Bill.
“The session provides a platform for stakeholders to share knowledge and provide input on the proposed legislation,” Karobwa said.
Once finalized, the bill will be presented to the Cabinet and subsequently to Parliament for consideration.
Dr. Fred Tugume, commissioner in charge of geological survey in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, explained that the proposed bill will lead to the establishment of a board to oversee the registration and licensing of earth scientists.
“This will ensure that only qualified professionals practice as earth scientists,” Tugume said. The commissioner noted that the three-day stakeholders’ engagement aimed to gather input into the proposed bill and draft a document for presentation to the Cabinet and Parliament.
Isa Rugayizi, a principal geoscientist, emphasized the importance of regulating the profession. “There have been many cases of unqualified individuals posing as geoscientists, fleecing Ugandans and investors,” Rugayizi said.
“The proposed bill will address this issue and provide a pool of qualified geoscientists for investors to use,” Rugayizi added. He explained that geoscientists include geochemists, geodesists, geologists, geophysicists, mine geologists, oceanographers, oceanologists, petroleum geologists, and petrologists, among others.
Rugayizi noted that the proposed bill will benefit geoscientists, the public, and investors. “The proposed bill will avail a pool of geoscientists that investors can use,” Rugayizi said. “Previously, local geoscientists have been complaining about being left out in terms of local content, as many of those used are experts. This bill will address this issue, and Ugandans will now be recognized.”
