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The Explosives Bill, 2023, recently passed by Parliament introduces fines and imprisonment for unauthorized possession and use of explosives. It requires licensing for creating explosive storage facilities and mandates training from recognized institutions.

Parliament has passed the Explosives Bill, 2023 that will impose a fine of shs10 billion on any individual who possesses, deals in, uses, or sells explosives without a license.

These individuals will also be imprisoned under the Bill for a maximum of ten years.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Wilson Kajwengye, stated that “the amendment will make the provision more deterrent since the possession, use, dealing, or sale of explosives without a license or permit has potential to endanger the public.”

The provisions come after the government’s proposed Bill was modified and examined by the Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs.

During a plenary meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the bill was passed.

If the bill is approved and becomes law, it would also mandate that anyone wishing to create, run, or erect an explosives magazine for the storage of explosives apply for a license to the Minister of Defense and Internal Affairs.

A building, warehouse, or other structure used for the storage or storage of explosive materials is known as an explosive’s magazine.

The Bill states that the license application must include diagrams or plans of the proposed structure on a scale determined by regulations set by the minister, along with evidence of payment for the applicable fees.

The bill also includes a clause that prohibits anyone who hasn’t received training from an accredited institution from using explosives or blasting material.

To conduct their operations, these individuals will also need to have a blasting permit and certificate from the Chief Explosives Officer.

The meaning of training institutions in this context, the curriculum that would be used, and the Ministry of Education’s role were all questioned by Hon. Patrick Isiagi (NRM, Kachumbla County).

The Bill contains a definition of training institutions, as stated by the Speaker, Anita Among.

“An academic or technical training institution authorized by the minister to offer a course of study or training in handling explosives is defined as a recognized institution,” the speaker stated.

According to Kajwengye, the quarrying industry in Uganda has grown steadily, so an evaluation is necessary to lessen the activity’s negative environmental effects.

He mentioned that among other things, blasting quarrying operations may have an impact on the natural heritage and landscape, cause noise and vibration, and lower the water table.

Kajwengye stated, “As a result, the committee suggests a clause to cover the business of quarry blasting explosives and specify the circumstances under which blasting of explosives should be conducted.”