Euro Gold Refinery has been named Uganda’s Best Natural Resources and Extractive Company at the Business Excellence Awards, while its executive director, Femi Benard, was named Best Entrepreneur of the Year.
The awards recognised the refinery and Benard for their contribution to Uganda’s mineral sector, including the company’s recent contract with the Bank of Uganda to supply refined gold under the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
Benard said the recognition reflects Euro Gold Refinery’s commitment to transparency, job creation and participation in Uganda’s growing mineral industry.
He dedicated the award to young Ugandans seeking opportunities to build businesses and careers, saying it should inspire them to believe in their abilities.
“This award is not just for me as the CEO of Euro Gold Refinery and as the Best Entrepreneur. This award is for all the youth of Uganda who believe in themselves and know that they can achieve and make it. We just need to believe in ourselves,” he said.
Benard also commended the organisers for recognising the contribution of artisanal miners, including miners in Yumbe, and other players in Uganda’s mineral sector.
He said the award also recognised the efforts of the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in supporting young people to participate in the industry.
“This award also goes to the ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. Your achievements and contribution to the development of Uganda, and your support for the youth of Uganda, are yielding results, and surely we are very grateful,” he said.
Benard further commended President Yoweri Museveni for what he described as creating opportunities for young Ugandans and other players to participate in the mineral sector.
“We want to thank the President of Uganda for loving our country and for giving the youth of Uganda the privilege to participate in the mineral sector. He has also given people like us, who came from nowhere, the opportunity to participate in the mineral sector and eased access. Now we are achieving results,” Benard said.
David Bahati, the state minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), said government remains committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, manufacture locally, create jobs, add value to products and compete in regional and international markets.
Bahati encouraged the award winners and other businesses to embrace innovation and technology while investing in their workforce.
“I encourage the winners and all businesses represented here tonight to remain innovative, embrace technology, invest in our people and pursue excellence,” he said.