In Summary: Karobwa’s appointment comes alongside that of acting Chief Executive Officer Lyoidah Kiconco as the state-owned miner seeks to restore management stability amid investigations into alleged maladministration, financial mismanagement and abuse of office.
Kampala, Uganda — Uganda National Mining Company (UNMC) has appointed seasoned extractives lawyer Loyola Rwabose Karobwa as Acting Head of Legal and Company Secretary, in a leadership reshuffle aimed at maintaining corporate governance and operational continuity at the state-owned enterprise.
Karobwa, an Advocate of the Courts of Judicature with more than 12 years of experience in the extractives and energy sectors, takes up the role at a critical time for the company as it navigates investigations involving its former top management and works to strengthen its institutional structures.
Her appointment follows the naming of Lyoidah Kiconco, formerly Head of Exploration and New Ventures at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), as UNMC’s Acting Chief Executive Officer.
The interim appointments follow an October 22, 2026 directive by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) ordering the interdiction of substantive Chief Executive Officer Dr Gerald Banaga-Baingi and Chief Corporate and Legal Affairs Officer and Company Secretary Lelia K. Bwambale.
The IGG directed the officials to step aside to facilitate investigations into allegations of maladministration, financial mismanagement and abuse of office.
“Public interest demands that while investigations against an officer are ongoing, he or she should be suspended from exercising the powers and functions of the office to avoid interference with the investigations,” the Inspectorate said in its directive.
The interdictions left two critical management positions requiring interim arrangements to ensure continuity in the company’s executive operations and corporate governance functions.
The allegations against the interdicted officials remain subject to investigation and do not amount to findings of wrongdoing.
Karobwa brings mining law and policy experience
Karobwa’s appointment brings considerable experience in mining legislation, regulatory reform, mineral agreements and corporate legal advisory work to the company’s leadership.
Before joining UNMC, she served as a Senior Legal Officer at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, where she handled legal advisory work covering policy reform, contract drafting and negotiation, licensing, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution.
According to her professional profile published by the International Bar Association, Karobwa played a central role in developing Uganda’s mining regulatory framework, including contributing to the technical team behind the Mining and Minerals Act and its implementing regulations.
She also supported the inaugural board of the Uganda National Mining Company and participated in the inter-ministerial team that negotiated and concluded Uganda’s first Mineral Production Sharing Agreement.
Her professional experience includes legal practice at Byenkya, Kihika and Company Advocates and ABMAK Associates, as well as service on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Land Matters.
A Chevening Scholar, Karobwa holds a Master of Laws degree with Distinction in International Natural Resources Law and Policy from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom.
She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University. She was called to the Bar in 2015.
Her experience in negotiating mineral agreements and shaping the legal framework governing Uganda’s mining industry is expected to be particularly relevant as UNMC moves to strengthen its commercial and investment activities.
Established under the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, UNMC is wholly owned by the government and is mandated to manage the state’s commercial interests in the mining sector.
The company was established to enable government to participate commercially in mineral development, attract investment, enter strategic partnerships and promote value addition. Its mandate includes managing the state’s equity participation in medium and large-scale mining projects.
Under Section 179 of the Mining and Minerals Act, 2022, the State is entitled to an ownership interest of up to 15 per cent, at no cost, in qualifying medium and large-scale mining licences, subject to the statutory provisions and exceptions under the law. The Act also allows the State to acquire additional equity through agreed arrangements, within the prescribed limits. Dgsm
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