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About us
An association run by and for artisanal gold miners, working in two countries under one constitution.
Our story
Abamwe Artisanal Miners Association was founded in 2022 by artisanal and small-scale gold miners working in Uganda and eastern DRC. Many of us had spent years selling through middlemen, losing money on weights we could not check, and working in pits with no safety equipment and no one to call when things went wrong.
We decided that miners who are organised are harder to cheat, easier to train and more likely to be listened to. The first meeting was held in Mubende in March 2022, with 46 miners from six sites in both countries. They agreed three first priorities: safer pits, honest weighing, and a register of every member.
Mission
To make artisanal gold mining in our communities safer, legal and fairly paid, and to give miners a say in decisions that affect them.
We do this by:
- registering and organising miners in each mining area;
- training members in safe work, better recovery and record keeping;
- connecting members with licensed buyers and supporting traceable sales;
- helping members obtain the licences and documents they need;
- representing members to government, buyers and development partners.
How we are organised
One constitution and one governing committee cover both countries. This keeps our rules and our message the same on both sides of the border.
| Body | Who | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| General assembly | All paid-up members | Elects leaders, approves the constitution, fees and annual report. Meets at least once a year. |
| Executive committee | Elected officers from both countries | Runs the association between assemblies, manages money and partnerships. |
| Country chapters | Uganda chapter, DRC chapter | Handle registration, licensing and relations with each country's authorities. |
| Area focal points | One trusted member per mining area | Register new members, share news and safety notices, collect complaints and help members with phones. |
Leadership
Our officers are elected by the general assembly. Names are shown only with each person’s written consent.
Boni Ahmed
Chairperson
Agaba Kevin
Head of operations
Aine Dismas
Uganda coordinator
Lusaka Ben
DRC coordinator
Code of conduct
Every member signs the code of conduct when they join. Breaking it can lead to a warning, suspension or loss of membership, decided by the executive committee after hearing the member.
- No child under 18 works in digging, processing or carrying ore.
- No payments, gold or supplies to armed groups, and no illegal taxes.
- No forced labour, and no violence or threats at the site.
- Reduce and work towards ending the use of mercury.
- Sell only to licensed buyers, and keep a record of every sale.
- No bribes, offered or accepted.
- Respect women and youth; no harassment or exclusion.
- Follow the safety rules of the site and help others in an emergency.
- Respect the land, water and the communities around the site.
Documents
Buyers, regulators and partners can request copies of these documents. Public versions will be posted here once approved by the committee.
- On request
Constitution
Adopted by the general assembly
- Online
Certificate of incorporation, Uganda
Uganda Registration Services Bureau, no. 80020003456789, 26 February 2025 (PDF)
- Online
National identification, DRC
Ministry of National Economy, no. 80020003456789, 26 February 2020 (PDF)
- On request
Code of conduct
Signed by every member
- Online
Responsible sourcing policy
Our commitments and how we check them