Introduction: The Digital Gateway to Uganda's Mineral Rights
Uganda's Mining Cadastre Portal is the official digital platform through which all mineral rights in the country are applied for, granted, managed, and monitored. Operated by the Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), this web-based system is built on Trimble Landfolio technology — the same cadastre management software trusted by mining jurisdictions across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
For anyone seeking to acquire mineral rights in Uganda — whether a prospecting license, exploration license, location license, or mining lease — the Mining Cadastre Portal is where the process begins and ends. Understanding how to navigate this platform efficiently is not optional; it is a prerequisite for doing business in Uganda's mining sector.
This guide provides a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of the portal's key functions, from creating your account to submitting applications and tracking their progress. If you are new to the Ugandan mineral rights system, we recommend reading our companion article on how to get a mining license in Uganda for a broader overview of the licensing framework before diving into the portal mechanics.
What is the Mining Cadastre Portal?
The Mining Cadastre Portal is an online mineral rights management system that serves as the single point of entry for all mineral license transactions in Uganda. It replaced the previous paper-based application process, bringing transparency, efficiency, and a verifiable first-come-first-served principle to the allocation of mineral rights.
The portal performs several critical functions:
- License application submission — applicants submit all mineral rights applications electronically through the portal
- Interactive cadastre map — a geographic information system (GIS) that displays all active, pending, and expired mineral licenses across Uganda
- Area availability checking — users can verify whether a specific area is open for application or already encumbered by existing rights
- Application tracking — applicants can monitor the status of their submissions in real time
- License management — existing license holders can file returns, submit renewal applications, and manage their obligations
- Public transparency — the map and license registry are accessible to the public, promoting accountability in mineral rights administration
The system is administered by the DGSM Cadastre Office, which reviews applications, processes payments, and coordinates with technical departments for evaluation. The portal operates on the principle that the first compliant application received for an available area takes priority, eliminating the discretionary allocation of mineral rights.
Step 1: Creating Your Account
Before you can interact with the portal in any meaningful way, you must register for a user account. The registration process collects the basic information needed to identify you as an applicant and to associate your account with future applications.
Registration Requirements
To create an account, you will need to provide:
- Full legal name — as it appears on your identification documents
- Nationality and identification — national ID number for Ugandan citizens, or passport details for foreign nationals
- Contact information — email address, telephone number, and physical address
- Company details (if applicable) — company name, registration number, certificate of incorporation, and registered office address. Foreign companies must be registered in Uganda or provide evidence of their intention to register a local subsidiary
- Tax Identification Number (TIN) — issued by the Uganda Revenue Authority
The Registration Process
Navigate to the Mining Cadastre Portal website and select the registration option. Complete the online registration form with the information listed above and upload the required supporting documents. You will receive a confirmation email with instructions to verify your account. Once verified, you can log in and begin using the portal's features.
It is important to ensure that all information provided during registration is accurate and matches your official documents. Discrepancies between your registration details and your application documents are a common cause of processing delays.
Step 2: Navigating the Interactive Cadastre Map
The interactive cadastre map is the most powerful feature of the portal and the tool you will use most frequently. It provides a real-time geographic view of every mineral license in Uganda — active, pending, and expired — overlaid on a base map showing administrative boundaries, roads, water bodies, and other geographic features.
Key Map Features
The map interface includes several layers and tools:
- Active licenses layer — displays all currently valid mineral rights, colour-coded by license type (prospecting, exploration, location, retention, mining lease)
- Pending applications layer — shows areas where applications have been submitted but not yet granted, alerting you to potential competition for available ground
- Expired and cancelled licenses layer — identifies areas where licenses have lapsed, which may now be open for fresh applications
- Protected areas and exclusion zones — shows national parks, forest reserves, wetlands, and other areas where mining is restricted or prohibited
- Administrative boundaries — district, sub-county, and parish boundaries to help you define your area of interest
How to Use the Map Effectively
When using the map to identify potential application areas, follow these steps:
- Zoom to your area of interest using the navigation controls or by entering geographic coordinates
- Toggle the relevant layers to see which licenses currently exist in the area
- Click on any license polygon to view its details — including the license holder, license number, grant date, expiry date, mineral commodity, and area size
- Identify open ground by looking for areas not covered by any active or pending license polygon
- Check for overlaps with protected areas or exclusion zones that would prevent you from applying
- Use the coordinate capture tool to define the boundaries of your proposed application area
The map uses a coordinate reference system compatible with Uganda's national grid. Ensure that any coordinates you use in your application are in the correct format and datum to avoid boundary errors.
Step 3: Checking Area Availability
Before investing time and money in preparing a full application, it is essential to verify that the area you are interested in is actually available. The cadastre map provides a visual indication, but the portal also offers a formal area availability check function.
Running an Availability Check
To check availability:
- Log in to your portal account
- Navigate to the area check or availability search function
- Enter the coordinates or select the area on the map
- The system will report whether the area is free, partially encumbered, or fully covered by existing rights
If the area is free, you can proceed with your application. If it is partially encumbered, you may need to adjust your proposed boundaries to avoid overlap. If the area is fully covered by an active license, you will need to identify an alternative area or wait for the existing license to expire.
It is worth noting that areas shown as "free" on the map may still be subject to restrictions that are not immediately visible, such as pending gazette notices for protected areas or infrastructure corridors. Consulting with the DGSM Cadastre Office or engaging a professional mineral rights advisory service can help you identify these hidden constraints before you apply.
ALOM's mineral rights management services include comprehensive area screening and due diligence to ensure that clients apply for areas that are genuinely available and strategically sound.
Step 4: Submitting a License Application
Once you have identified an available area and prepared your documentation, the next step is to submit your application through the portal. The portal guides you through a structured submission process that collects all the information and documents required for your chosen license type.
Application Submission Steps
- Log in to your registered account on the Mining Cadastre Portal
- Select the license type you wish to apply for (prospecting, exploration, location, mining lease, etc.)
- Define the application area by entering the corner coordinates of your proposed license boundary on the interactive map. The system will automatically calculate the area and check for overlaps with existing licenses
- Specify the target minerals — list the mineral commodity or commodities you intend to explore for or mine
- Upload supporting documents — attach all required documents including your work programme, financial capacity evidence, technical capacity statement, environmental project brief, and any other documents specified for your license type
- Review and confirm — carefully review all entered information and uploaded documents before final submission
- Pay the application fee — the portal will generate an invoice for the applicable application fee, which must be paid before the application is formally registered in the system
Critical Tips for Successful Submission
- Double-check coordinates — incorrect or imprecise coordinates are one of the most frequent causes of application rejection. Ensure your boundary points form a closed polygon and are in the correct coordinate format
- Complete all mandatory fields — the system will flag incomplete submissions, but it is better to review everything thoroughly before attempting to submit
- Upload clear, legible documents — scanned documents should be high resolution and fully readable. Illegible attachments will delay processing
- Keep copies of everything — save copies of your submitted application, uploaded documents, and payment receipts for your records
- Note your application reference number — the portal assigns a unique reference number upon submission, which you will need for all future correspondence regarding your application
For a detailed walkthrough of the documentation requirements for each license type, refer to our guide on how to get a mining license in Uganda.
Step 5: Tracking Your Application Status
After submission, your application enters the DGSM's review and evaluation pipeline. The Mining Cadastre Portal provides a tracking function that allows you to monitor your application's progress through each stage of the process.
Application Processing Stages
A typical application moves through the following stages:
- Received — your application has been registered in the system and assigned a reference number
- Administrative review — the Cadastre Office checks that your application is complete, all required documents have been submitted, and the application fee has been paid
- Technical evaluation — the DGSM's technical team reviews your work programme, technical capacity, and the geological merits of your proposed activities
- Environmental review — for applications requiring environmental clearance, the relevant documentation is assessed for compliance with NEMA requirements
- Advisory Board review — the Mineral Rights Advisory Board evaluates the application and makes a recommendation to the Commissioner for Geological Survey and Mines
- Decision — the Commissioner grants or refuses the application. If granted, the license is issued and registered in the cadastre system
- Notification — the applicant is notified of the decision through the portal and by official correspondence
Monitoring Your Status
To check your application status:
- Log in to the portal and navigate to the "My Applications" section
- Select the application you wish to check using its reference number
- The system displays the current processing stage and any actions required from you
If the DGSM requires additional information or clarification during the review process, you will be notified through the portal. It is essential to respond promptly to any such requests, as delays in providing requested information can stall your application.
Processing times vary depending on the license type and the complexity of the application. Simple prospecting license applications may be processed within a few weeks, while exploration licenses and mining leases typically require several months due to the more extensive technical and environmental evaluation involved.
Step 6: Filing Returns and Managing Your License
Once your license has been granted, the Mining Cadastre Portal continues to serve as your primary interface with the DGSM for ongoing license management. License holders have several obligations that must be fulfilled through the portal.
Annual Returns
All license holders are required to file annual returns reporting on the work carried out during the preceding year. Returns typically include:
- Summary of activities conducted — geological mapping, sampling, drilling, geophysical surveys, mining operations, etc.
- Expenditure report — demonstrating that the license holder has met the minimum expenditure commitments specified in the license conditions
- Technical data and results — geological reports, maps, assay results, and other technical data generated during the reporting period
- Environmental compliance report — documenting adherence to the environmental management conditions of the license
- Production and sales data (for mining licenses) — quantities of minerals mined, processed, and sold, along with royalty calculations
License Renewals
License renewal applications are also submitted through the portal. Renewal applications must be filed before the license expires and must demonstrate compliance with all license conditions, including work programme commitments and expenditure obligations. For exploration licenses, renewal is typically accompanied by a mandatory reduction in the license area, requiring the holder to relinquish a portion of the ground.
Transfers and Amendments
If you wish to transfer your mineral right to another party or amend the terms of your license, these transactions are also initiated through the portal. Transfers require the approval of the Commissioner and must comply with the provisions of the Mining and Minerals Act 2022.
Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Users of the Mining Cadastre Portal frequently encounter several recurring challenges. Being aware of these in advance can save you significant time and frustration.
Technical Issues
Like any web-based platform, the portal can experience downtime, slow loading times, or browser compatibility issues. It is advisable to use a modern web browser with a stable internet connection. If you encounter technical difficulties during the submission process, contact the DGSM IT support desk for assistance.
Coordinate Errors
Defining the correct boundaries for your application area is one of the most technically demanding aspects of the submission process. Errors in coordinate entry — wrong datum, incorrect format, transposed digits — can result in your application covering a different area than intended, potentially overlapping with existing licenses and leading to rejection.
Document Formatting
The portal has specific requirements for document file formats, sizes, and naming conventions. Ensure your documents meet these requirements before attempting to upload them. Large files may need to be compressed, and documents in non-standard formats may need to be converted to PDF.
Processing Delays
The DGSM processes a large volume of applications, and staffing and resource constraints can lead to delays. While the portal provides status tracking, it may not always reflect real-time updates. If your application appears stalled, it is appropriate to follow up with the Cadastre Office directly.
Why Professional Assistance Matters
Navigating the Mining Cadastre Portal is straightforward in principle but can be challenging in practice, particularly for first-time applicants, foreign investors unfamiliar with Uganda's regulatory framework, or companies submitting complex applications for exploration licenses and mining leases.
Professional mineral rights advisory services can add significant value by:
- Conducting thorough area screening and due diligence before you apply
- Preparing technically sound work programmes and documentation that meet DGSM requirements
- Ensuring coordinate accuracy and compliance with cadastre system specifications
- Managing the submission process and liaising with the DGSM on your behalf
- Monitoring application status and responding promptly to information requests
- Handling renewals, transfers, and ongoing compliance obligations
ALOM Mining & Geohydro Services provides comprehensive mineral rights management support to clients navigating Uganda's mineral licensing system. Our team has extensive experience with the Mining Cadastre Portal and works closely with the DGSM to ensure that our clients' applications are processed efficiently and successfully.
Conclusion
The Uganda Mining Cadastre Portal is an essential tool for anyone involved in the country's mineral sector. It provides a transparent, accessible, and systematic platform for managing mineral rights from application through to grant and beyond. By understanding how to register, navigate the map, check area availability, submit applications, track progress, and file returns, you position yourself for a smoother and more successful experience in acquiring and managing mineral rights in Uganda.
However, the portal is only as effective as the information you feed into it. Accurate coordinates, complete documentation, a well-prepared work programme, and an understanding of the regulatory framework are the real determinants of success. For those who want to ensure their applications are handled with the highest level of professionalism and technical rigour, partnering with experienced mineral rights advisors is a sound investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register on the Mining Cadastre Portal?
Any individual or corporate entity may register on the portal. Ugandan citizens, foreign nationals, and companies registered in Uganda (or intending to register locally) are all eligible. However, certain license types — such as artisanal mining licenses — are restricted to Ugandan citizens.
Is there a fee to create an account?
Registration on the portal itself is free. Fees are charged when you submit a license application, and the applicable fee depends on the license type and area size.
Can I view the cadastre map without registering?
Yes, the interactive map is accessible to the public for viewing purposes. However, you must register and log in to submit applications, track status, or file returns.
How long does it take to process a license application?
Processing times vary. Prospecting license applications are typically the fastest, while exploration licenses and mining leases can take several months due to more extensive review requirements. The complexity of your application and the completeness of your documentation are major factors in processing speed.
What happens if my application overlaps with an existing license?
The portal will flag overlapping applications during the submission process. If your proposed area overlaps with an active or pending license, you will need to adjust your boundaries to eliminate the overlap before the application can be accepted.
Can ALOM help me with the Mining Cadastre Portal process?
Yes. ALOM Mining & Geohydro Services offers end-to-end mineral rights management services, including cadastre portal registration, area screening, application preparation, submission, tracking, and ongoing license management. Contact us to discuss your requirements.