The BioGold Project is a three-year international research partnership, supported by the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR), coordinated by Kyambogo University and working with Makerere University, Gulu University, the University of Pretoria, and the University for Continuing Education, Krems. The project addresses environmental and public health concerns associated with mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining while strengthening postgraduate training, institutional research capacity, inclusive participation, and evidence-informed environmental management.

BIOGOLD researchers together with technical personnel of Namayingo district

During May and June 2026, the project held stakeholder engagements in Namayingo, Buhweju and Kassanda—three districts with substantial artisanal gold-mining activity. The meetings brought together district leaders, technical officers, miners and community representatives to review preliminary research findings and identify priorities for continued collaboration. Results presented during the engagements identified mercury as a major contaminant in mining-affected environments, particularly in mine tailings, soils and water.

 BIOGOLD researchers picking soil and water samples within and around one of the artisanal gold mines in Namayingo district

Extraction of gold from excavated soils at one of the gold mines in Namayingo district

The consultations strengthened local ownership of the research and generated commitments to support community awareness, occupational safety, field implementation and the continued dissemination of findings. They also provided valuable stakeholder perspectives on affordability, adoption, regulatory enforcement and long-term sustainability. Through this work, the BioGold Project is demonstrating how rigorous research, international partnership and community engagement can jointly address a complex environmental challenge while protecting the project’s emerging innovations.

BIOGOLD project researchers holding a stakeholder engagement with technical personnel at Namayingo district headquarters