Our Expert in Uganda
Last reviewed: 21 June 2026
Understanding how to register as a mineral dealer in Uganda is now a largely digital process, centred on the Mining Cadastre and Registry System (MCRS) operated by the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM). The Mining and Minerals (Licensing) Regulations, 2023, together with the phased MCRS e‑portal rollout completed between 2024 and 2026, have replaced the old paper‑based workflow with a structured online application, payment and tracking sequence. This guide maps every step, from account creation to licence receipt, and sets out the exact fees, documents, processing timelines and ongoing compliance obligations that apply to anyone buying, selling or otherwise dealing in minerals in Uganda.
Whether you are a Ugandan trader preparing your first application or an in‑house counsel advising a corporate entrant to the sector, the information below is drawn directly from DGSM portal documentation, the Uganda Trade Portal, Ministry licensing procedure publications and the Regulations themselves.
Under the Mining and Minerals Act (as read with the Mining and Minerals (Licensing) Regulations, 2023), any person who buys, sells, deals in, or exports minerals in Uganda must hold a valid Mineral Dealer’s Licence (MDL) issued by the Commissioner for Geological Survey and Mines. This applies equally to individuals and corporate entities, and covers all mineral types, including gold, tin, tantalum, tungsten, gemstones and construction minerals.
The only narrow exception is for personal samples of negligible commercial value that are not intended for trade. In practice, DGSM interprets this exception strictly: if the activity involves any commercial purpose, an MDL is required. Dealing without a licence is a criminal offence under the Act and may attract fines, imprisonment, or both.
If you intend to sell gold or any other mineral in Uganda, the immediate next step is to register on the MCRS portal and begin assembling the documents listed later in this guide. The entire application is now submitted electronically, so no physical visit to the DGSM offices is required at the filing stage, although a premises inspection may follow before the licence is granted.
Fee levels for a mineral dealers licence in Uganda depend on the category of minerals you intend to trade. The table below consolidates the figures published in DGSM licensing procedure documents and cross-referenced with practitioner sources. Because fees are periodically revised, applicants should confirm the current amounts on the MCRS portal or with DGSM before making payment.
| Licence category | Typical application / assessment fee (UGX) | Renewal fee & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Dealer, Precious Metals (gold, silver, PGMs) | UGX 10,000,000 (practitioner estimate, confirm with DGSM at time of application) | Renewal fee is generally the same quantum as the initial application fee; must be filed before the licence expires |
| Mineral Dealer, Precious Stones (gemstones, diamonds) | UGX 6,000,000 (practitioner estimate, confirm with DGSM at time of application) | Same renewal structure; DGSM may require updated AML/KYC documentation at renewal |
| Mineral Dealer, General / Other Minerals | Varies by mineral type and scale; typically lower than precious metals, confirm via MCRS fee schedule | Renewal fee plus any outstanding royalties or reporting arrears must be cleared before renewal is processed |
Important: The figures above are drawn from practitioner publications and should be treated as indicative. The Mining and Minerals (Licensing) Regulations, 2023 empower the Commissioner to set and amend fee schedules, so the definitive figure is the one displayed on the MCRS payment screen at the time you submit your application. An assessment fee or inspection levy may also apply in addition to the base licence fee.
The MCRS portal Uganda is the single gateway for all mineral-licence applications. The process below reflects the portal workflow documented by DGSM and the Uganda Trade Portal as of mid-2026. A mineral dealer licence application follows four broad phases: account creation, form completion, document upload with fee payment, and DGSM assessment.
Recommended file formats for later uploads: PDF for text documents, JPEG or PNG for scanned images. Individual files should generally not exceed 5 MB; larger files can cause upload timeouts.
Once logged in, select “Apply for Licence” and choose “Mineral Dealer’s Licence” from the licence-type menu. The form contains several sections:
It is worth noting that the MDL application is distinct from a mining licence application. A mining licence authorises extraction from a specific area, while an MDL authorises trading. The two are not interchangeable, though many operators hold both. The DGSM portal lists the full range of available licences and their respective mineral dealer license requirements on the “How to obtain a licence” page.
After completing the form, the portal prompts you to upload supporting documents (see the full checklist in the next section). Each document has a designated upload slot. Ensure every file is legible, correctly oriented and matches the label of the slot, uploading a tax-clearance certificate in the “National ID” slot, for instance, will likely be flagged.
Once uploads are complete, the system generates a payment reference number. Fees are payable in Ugandan Shillings (UGX) through the channels specified on the portal, typically bank deposit or mobile-money transfer to a designated DGSM collection account. The Uganda Trade Portal mineral dealer license procedure page lists the accepted payment methods. Retain your payment receipt and reference number; you will need to enter the reference on the portal to confirm payment before your application advances to the assessment queue.
Industry observers report that several recurring issues delay applications on the MCRS portal. Awareness of these pitfalls can save weeks:
The mineral dealer license requirements differ slightly depending on whether the applicant is a natural person or a registered company. The table below synthesises the document lists published by DGSM and the Uganda Trade Portal.
| Document | Corporate applicant | Individual applicant |
|---|---|---|
| National identity card or passport (certified copy) | Required, for all directors and the authorised signatory | Required |
| Certificate of incorporation | Required (certified copy) | N/A |
| Memorandum & Articles of Association | Required (certified copy) | N/A |
| URA Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate | Required | Required |
| Tax clearance certificate from URA | Required (current and valid) | Required (current and valid) |
| Passport-size photographs | Of authorised signatory / proposed dealer manager | Of the applicant (typically two) |
| Proof of business premises (lease agreement, title deed or utility bill) | Required | Required |
| AML/KYC policy or declaration | Required, written AML policy document | Signed declaration of compliance |
| Evidence of financial capacity (bank statements or audited accounts) | Required for precious-metals and precious-stones categories | May be required depending on scale |
| Board resolution authorising the application | Required | N/A |
Certified copies means copies bearing the stamp and signature of a Commissioner for Oaths, notary public, or, for company documents, the Registrar of Companies. DGSM routinely rejects uncertified photocopies. For foreign nationals, a valid passport and a valid work permit or investor visa are required in addition to the documents listed above.
The AML/KYC requirement reflects Uganda’s obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act and the FATF framework for high-risk sectors. Corporate applicants should submit a written AML policy that covers customer identification, record-keeping, suspicious-transaction reporting and staff training. Individual applicants may satisfy the requirement with a signed compliance declaration, though DGSM increasingly expects a substantive document even from sole traders. Tax clearance must be obtained from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and should be current at the date of submission, ideally with at least three months of remaining validity to avoid expiry during the review window.
For certain mineral categories, particularly precious metals and conflict minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten), DGSM may request evidence of the applicant’s intended source of supply, such as contracts or letters of intent from licensed miners. This aligns with Uganda’s Mineral Markets Regulations and traceability obligations. Applicants dealing in construction minerals at smaller volumes may not face this requirement, but it is prudent to have sourcing documentation ready.
DGSM does not publish a guaranteed processing time for mineral dealer licence applications. Based on the DGSM licensing procedures document and practitioner experience, the typical timeline from submission of a complete application to licence issuance is approximately four to eight weeks, though complex applications or those requiring a premises inspection can take longer.
After the application enters the assessment queue, DGSM may contact the applicant for clarifications or additional documents. A field inspection of the declared business premises is common, particularly for first-time applicants. The Commissioner’s decision, approval, conditional approval or rejection, is communicated through the MCRS portal and, in many cases, by email or telephone.
Upon approval, the Mineral Dealer’s Licence is generated within the MCRS system. The licence document may be downloaded as a PDF from the portal; some applicants also receive a printed hard copy upon collection from the DGSM offices. The licence specifies the minerals covered, the geographical scope (typically nationwide for dealers), and the validity period.
If no communication is received within eight weeks, applicants should follow up directly with the DGSM Licensing Division, contact details are available on the dgsm.go.ug website.
Obtaining the licence is only the first compliance milestone. The Mining and Minerals (Licensing) Regulations, 2023 impose a suite of ongoing obligations that, if neglected, can lead to licence suspension, non-renewal or prosecution.
An MDL must be renewed before it expires. The renewal application is filed through the MCRS portal following substantially the same workflow as the initial application, updated documents (particularly tax clearance and AML policy) must be uploaded, and the renewal fee paid. Any outstanding royalties, reporting arrears or compliance notices must be cleared before DGSM will process a renewal. Applying late, or after the licence has already expired, may require a fresh application and fee payment in full.
Every MDL holder is required to maintain a register of all mineral purchases and sales. The register must record the date, quantity, type and grade of minerals transacted, the identity of the seller or buyer (including their licence number, where applicable), and the price paid or received. These records must be available for inspection by DGSM officers at any time and retained for a minimum period prescribed by the Regulations.
Mineral dealers are liable for applicable royalties and taxes on transactions. Royalty rates are set under the Mining and Minerals Act and vary by mineral type. Dealers must also comply with URA obligations, including income tax, VAT (where applicable) and any recent Uganda tax changes that affect the mining sector. Failure to remit royalties can result in licence cancellation.
Under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, mineral dealers, particularly those handling gold and conflict minerals, are considered “accountable persons.” This means they must conduct customer due diligence on every counterpart, file suspicious-transaction reports with the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), and keep AML records for at least ten years.
Uganda’s evolving minerals policy increasingly emphasises in-country value addition. The Uganda Investment Authority has published guidance on value-addition expectations for licensees. While not all MDL holders face mandatory beneficiation requirements today, industry observers expect these obligations to tighten progressively, particularly for exporters of raw precious metals.
| Obligation | Individual MDL holder | Corporate MDL holder |
|---|---|---|
| Maintain purchase/sale register | Required, physical or electronic register | Required, physical or electronic register; auditable |
| File periodic returns with DGSM | Required (frequency set by licence conditions) | Required (frequency set by licence conditions) |
| AML customer due diligence | Required on every counterpart | Required; must also train staff and appoint AML compliance officer |
| Suspicious-transaction reporting (FIA) | Required | Required |
| Royalty payments | Due on all applicable transactions | Due on all applicable transactions |
| Premises inspection readiness | Must allow DGSM access at any time | Must allow DGSM access at any time |
| KCCA / local trading licence | May also be required if premises are in Kampala, apply separately through KCCA | May also be required, apply separately through KCCA |
Note on KCCA trading licences: An MDL does not replace the local trading licence issued by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) or the relevant municipal authority. If your dealing premises are in Kampala, you will need both the MDL (from DGSM) and a KCCA trading licence. The two are administered independently and have separate fee structures.
DGSM rejects or returns a significant proportion of first-time MDL applications. The most frequent causes, and their practical fixes, are:
Buyers, exporters and regulators can check whether a dealer holds a valid MDL by consulting the list of licensed mineral dealers in Uganda maintained by DGSM. The MCRS portal includes a public search or register function that allows verification of a dealer’s licence status, mineral categories and validity dates. If the portal search is unavailable, a written verification request can be submitted directly to the DGSM Licensing Division at the Department of Geological Survey and Mines, Entebbe.
The Uganda Trade Portal also provides summary information on the licensing framework and links to the DGSM portal for verification purposes. Conducting this check before entering into any mineral purchase transaction is a prudent AML due-diligence step and is increasingly expected by international buyers and downstream smelters.
| Licence type | Key obligations | Typical fee / assessment (UGX) |
|---|---|---|
| MDL, Precious Metals | Purchase/sale register; AML/KYC compliance; royalties; periodic returns to DGSM; premises inspection readiness; FIA suspicious-transaction reporting | UGX 10,000,000 (practitioner estimate, confirm with DGSM) |
| MDL, Precious Stones | Same as precious metals; may also require Kimberley Process certification for diamonds | UGX 6,000,000 (practitioner estimate, confirm with DGSM) |
| MDL, General / Other Minerals | Purchase/sale register; royalties; periodic returns; compliance with any mineral-specific traceability requirements (e.g., 3TG) | Varies by mineral type and scale, confirm via MCRS fee schedule |
Knowing how to register as a mineral dealer is essential for any person or company planning to trade minerals in Uganda lawfully. The shift to the MCRS portal has made the process more transparent and trackable, but it has also raised the compliance bar, particularly around AML/KYC documentation, financial-capacity evidence and accurate portal data entry. Applicants who invest time in assembling a complete, correctly formatted document set before they begin the online application will avoid the delays that affect a large proportion of first-time submissions.
Beyond initial licensing, the ongoing obligations, registers, royalties, periodic reporting and AML compliance, require sustained attention. Early indications suggest that DGSM’s enforcement posture is tightening as the MCRS system matures, making proactive compliance the most cost-effective strategy. For dealers with operations that touch land and premises registration or who employ staff under the latest Ugandan employment law changes, an integrated legal compliance review is strongly recommended.
Prospective applicants who are uncertain about any element of the process, from fee confirmation to AML policy drafting, should seek guidance from a qualified mining-law practitioner before submitting their application. A well-prepared submission is the fastest path to a valid mineral dealers licence in Uganda.
This article was produced by Global Law Experts. For specialist advice on this topic, contact Denis Kusaasira at ABMAK Associates, a member of the Global Law Experts network.
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