Billion-tonne graphite discovery could make Kitgum Uganda’s Dubai

Kitgum, Uganda: Northern Uganda’s Kitgum District is bracing for a major economic breakthrough following the discovery of one of the world’s largest graphite deposits in Orom East, a find projected to fuel industrial development, local employment, and national revenue growth.

The billion-tonne graphite reserve, located in Akurumho Parish, spans over 2,073 hectares and is being developed under the Orom Graphite Project, operated by Consolidated Africa Resources Ltd in partnership with Blencowe Resources. The mining license, issued in 2019, gives the firms a 21-year lease to extract and process the critical mineral.

According to Kitgum’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Ms Apyeto Stella, the long-term impact of the project extends far beyond district boundaries. “We see this project as a national economic lifeline. The plan is to process graphite locally, which means more jobs, better livelihoods, and increased revenue for the district,” she said.

Full-scale commercial production is scheduled to begin in 2026. So far, the project has become a critical source of employment in the region, with over 90% of the workforce being Ugandans, most drawn from local communities.

Andrew Lowok, the project’s Community Liaison Officer, says partnerships with local contractors have also enabled peripheral growth around the mining site. “We work with firms from here. This means not just employment, but skills development and wider economic inclusion,” he noted.

One of the local workers, Oyet Micheal from Orom trading centre, says the mine has transformed his livelihood. “I started three years ago as a casual laborer at the tent site. Today I operate a rig, and I’m able to pay school fees for my three children and provide a better life,” he shared.

However, logistical and security challenges persist. The remote location has poor roads, limited power infrastructure, and occasional insecurity due to cattle raids from neighboring Karamoja. Assistant Operations Chief Aisah Nanteza says these concerns are being addressed through joint efforts with security agencies and government stakeholders.

Exploration is also ongoing at the nearby “Beehive” site, where early signs indicate even more high-grade graphite. The company is finalizing a definitive feasibility study to confirm total reserves, with initial samples showing 12% flake graphite, among the highest grades globally.

Graphite is a key mineral in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, smartphones, and renewable energy systems. With global demand accelerating, Kitgum’s graphite is now positioned to become a strategic resource in Uganda’s green industrial transition.

“We have the land, the minerals, the market access, and now, the momentum,” Apyeto emphasized. “This is just the beginning.”