Government initiates an oil regulatory framework

By Kiyimba Bruno
Kiyimba.bruno@gmail.com

The government of the republic of Uganda, in preparation for oil exploitation with support from a number of development partners has initiated formulation of an oil regulatory framework.

The policy shall include policy and institutional reforms such as the 2008 national oil and gas policy.
Despite the above re forms, oil activities remain one of the biggest threats to the ecosystem conservation and citizens livelihoods in the country.

Speaking to the media at the launch of the partnership for promoting food security, water provisioning and climate resilience in Uganda amidst oil ad forest degradation challenges, the executive director of AFIEGO Mr. Dickens Kamugisha said that government; citizens should play their role jointly towards the development of the oil sector.

Dickens adds that there are 12500 households that were affected by the oil ever since its discovery in Hoima. He elucidates that government should come up with clear means of paying the people who have to be relocated.

He however felt concerned since the construction amendment is being done to make sure that government first compensates people before vacating them.

The project is a five year running from 2016 to 2020 and will be implemented in selected areas in two landscapes In Uganda. these shall involve the Murchison landscape which covers the districts of Kabaale,Hoima,Masindi,Kiryandongo,Nwoya,Buliisa as well as Nebbi in the south west and the north western Uganda.

The second region shall be the queen Elizabeth landscape which comprise of Rubirizi, Kamwenge, Mitooma, Kaseese, Kanungu, Rukungiri as well as Ibanda districts which are located in south western Uganda.

The launch brought together selected stake holders including the ministry of energy and mineral development, ministry of water and environment, National Environment Management Authority as well as ministry of justice and constitutional affairs.