PanAfGeo Training on Communications and Dialogue in Geoscience Kicks off in Entebbe

The State Minister for Mineral Development, Ms Phiona Nyamutoro, said that the PanAfGeo Training on Communications and Dialogue in Geoscience, will strengthen Uganda’s mineral governance framework and prepare for the country for future opportunities, enhancing officials capacity to manage mineral information sustainably and responsibly.

‘’Geoscience is not only about collecting data—it is also about communicating it effectively. For mineral information to guide national development, it must be accurate, accessible, and understood by all stakeholders. This includes policymakers, investors, researchers, and, most importantly, the host communities.

Speaking during the opening of the PanAfGeo Training on Communications and Dialogue in Geoscience at K Hotels Entebbe on November 24^th 2025 , Nyamutooro said due to the high  global demand for critical minerals—such as lithium, graphite, rare earths, and copper which is rising sharply, driven by the energy transition and new technologies, Africa must therefore ensure that mineral information is collected, managed, and communicated responsibly.

‘’PanAfGeo’s focus on communication and dialogue strengthens our ability as Africans to use mineral information in a sustainable, transparent, and inclusive manner.The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development has placed strong emphasis on sustainable management of mineral information. Such trainings support our goals in several ways’’, said Nyamutooro.

Nyamutooro addd that there is hope that participants will gain skills in presenting technical information clearly and confidently to  ensures that  geological outputs—maps, reports, surveys—are effectively used for planning, investment attraction, and environmental management.

‘’Clear communication builds trust. When mineral information is shared openly and explained well, it reduces speculation, misinformation, and conflict. Effective dialogue encourages cooperation between ministries, agencies, local governments, private investors, and communities. This is essential for the effective implementation of mineral policies and reforms. -communicated geoscience data attracts responsible investment. When investors understand the geological potential of our country, they are more likely to commit resources to exploration and development. Through such a training, we are equipping our workforce to contribute to a modern mineral sector grounded in sustainability, transparency, and innovation’’, added Nyamutooro.

She noted that the training is an investment in national stability, economic growth, and sustainable development and emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to supporting them as they apply these competencies in their daily roles through community sensitization engagements etc.

In her speech read by Dr. Fred Tugume , the Acting Commissioner for Geological Surveys, Eng. Irene Bateebe the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) noted that effective communication in geoscience is no longer optional , it is essential. She added that Mineral resources are at the centre of sustainable economic transformation, the global energy transition, and the drive toward green technologies.

Yet the value of geoscience can only be realized if they communicate their work clearly, engage stakeholders openly, and build public trust in the information we generate.

‘’This training comes at a time when the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development is intensifying efforts to modernize the management of our mineral resources. We are strengthening geological surveys, improvingg data quality, and promoting transparency in mineral licensing. These reforms require skilled professionals who can communicate scientific information in ways that inform policy, attract responsible investors, and empower communities.High-quality geoscience data must be matched with the ability to convey its meaning. Hopefully, this training can equip our geoscientists with tools to translate complex findings into practical insights for decision-makers, investors, and local communities’’, said Batebe.

She added that this training is not just about learning new communication techniques transforming the way they approach their work as geoscientists.

‘’I expect you the participants to emerge with; Enhanced capacity to engage diverse audiences with confidence; Improved ability to translate scientific results into policy-relevant messages; Stronger interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills; A deeper understanding of how dialogue builds trust in resource governance. These competencies will make you more effective professionals and more influential contributors to development. Ultimately, this contributes to a mineral sector that is more competitive, more transparent, and more aligned with our national aspirations for socio-economic transformation’’, said Batebe.

The President of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS) is Dr. Rokhaya Samba Diene’s speech stated that when it comes to geosciences in the African continent, the African countries have recognized that geoscience knowledge and  information is critical to, amongst others, socio-economic  development, optimal land-use and environmental stewardship.

‘’The key human development drivers include minerals and energy  security, groundwater, infrastructure development and land use,  agriculture, climate change mitigation, disaster response and  geoscience innovation. All these require geoscientific input.Our Continent is riddled with challenges such as the impacts  of climate change, food security, energy security, infrastructure development and geohazard issues, securing groundwater  resources, and the need to expand our mineral resource development base, which can be resolved by placing fundamental  geoscientific advancement at the forefront and also using Communication and dialogue which are incredibly important’’, said Dr Samba.

She added that communication and dialogue are key to advancing geoscience, promoting public safety, environmental  sustainability, and fostering collaboration.