A new report examining the potential of Uganda's newly discovered oil reserves was released today by peacebuilding NGO International Alert. The findings reveal that Uganda has a unique opportunity to harness the power of oil for peace and development.
The report was launched at Hotel Africana at an event attended by leaders of civil society, media and districts, oil representatives, parliamentarians and other government authorities including Minister of State for Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Lokeris, as well as Hon. Stephen Biraahwa , the chair of the National Economy Committee and a member of the National Resource Committee.
Speaking at the launch, Alert's Director of Programmes for Africa, Mr. Phil Vernon said:
"We are pleased and sincerely grateful for the collaboration of the Government, parliamentarians, civil society and figures from Uganda's oil industry in this groundbreaking piece of research. We hope it makes a significant contribution to harnessing the immense potential of oil for Uganda".
Based on a year of extensive consultations with a wide range of individuals and institutions at national and local levels, the research reveals that government, development partners, companies, civil society and other key stakeholders have not yet fully understood the potential risk of oil discovery to steer clear of the so-called "resource curse" that have afflicted so many other oil-producing countries.
Mr Vernon also added:
"It is clear that the discovery of oil, taking place within a context of a variety of tensions that exist on both sides of the DRC-Uganda border, represents a potential risk of conflict and presents a peacebuilding challenge for local communities, the government, private sector investors, donors and civil society.
It is equally clear to us, however, that with a proactive approach that takes into account conflict risks, the dual dividend of peace and development can be realised through the equitable and transparent exploitation of this resource.
We call this approach Investing in Peace - and we look forward to continue working in partnership with those in government, civil society and industry to ensure that the people of Uganda see the return on that investment that could transform their lives".
The publication, Harnessing Oil for Peace and Development in Uganda: Understanding National, Local and Cross-border Conflict Risks Associated with Oil discovery in the Albertine Rift, recommends increased transparency and principled leadership to promote broad economic opportunities of oil discovery for peace and development in Uganda.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
An African Union (AU) peacekeeper from Uganda and a Somali government soldier guard the presidential palace in the capital Mogadishu, August 26, 2009. One of two French security advisers kidnapped by ...
