The government is moving to strengthen communication around Uganda’s oil and gas sector in a bid to counter what it describes as sophisticated negative propaganda and provide Ugandans with timely information about the industry.
The Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, Dr Monica Musenero, said all departments and agencies under her ministry will be required to align with the government’s new communication approach, which she said should particularly target young Ugandans.
Musenero made the remarks while touring oil and gas facilities in the Bunyoro sub-region ahead of President Museveni’s planned visit to the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube District on Wednesday.
The minister said some of the criticism against Uganda’s oil development was being driven by foreigners using Ugandans, particularly young people, to protest against the sector.
She questioned why countries that continue to use petroleum products would oppose Uganda’s efforts to exploit its own oil resources.
Musenero said the government needs to ensure that Ugandans receive reliable and timely information about the sector, particularly as the country approaches first oil.
“We need sophisticated communication flow, especially now as the country moves towards achieving its first oil. The most important aspect is to provide reliable information to the country, especially the young people, to also know how important the sector is to the growth of the economy,” she said.
Musenero said the ministry is also being reorganised to improve coordination between its departments and agencies, which she accused of sometimes operating in silos.
She said the ministers and permanent secretary will provide overall coordination, with technology being used to create direct links between the ministry’s leadership and its various departments and agencies.
“There are things I see being launched under my ministry, and I’m not aware. I feel like I would have loved being part of them. So, with the current advancement of technology, I will have a direct link to all sectors, and all departments will have interconnections—energy, minerals and others,” she said.
During her tour, Musenero visited Pump Station One, Kabalega International Airport and the Kingfisher oil field.
She defended Uganda’s approach to oil exploration, saying the government was taking environmental concerns into account.
Musenero said Uganda was undertaking what she described as responsible oil exploration and was implementing measures, including tree planting, to mitigate carbon emissions and restore areas affected by oil activities.
The minister also raised questions about the economic benefits Ugandans will receive from the oil sector, particularly with Uganda’s crude oil expected to be transported through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to Tanga in Tanzania while the country pursues construction of its refinery.
She said the government must ensure that the sector generates jobs, industries and other tangible economic opportunities for Ugandans.
“I have my questions: where is the money, where are the jobs, and where are the industries that are going to provide employment to our Ugandans? We can’t have oil here and refining is done outside, then we don’t plan on how our people can get opportunities. This I want PAU, EACOP and UNOC to answer,” Musenero said.
She also asked the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to consider providing Uganda with some crude oil for research, innovation and study purposes.
Musenero said she had previously approached the Petroleum Authority of Uganda for crude oil but was informed that EACOP had undertaken to transport all the crude to Tanzania.
“I went to Petroleum Authority of Uganda and asked for crude. They said it is EACOP and that EACOP signed an undertaking for all crude to go outside the country. So, I’m here asking for some crude that we will use for our study purposes and innovation. Let me see if EACOP will refuse to give the minister some crude,” she said.
The request was made during a meeting with EACOP staff led by the company’s Deputy Managing Director, John Bosco Habomugisha, at Pump Station One.
The Senior Presidential Advisor on Oil and Gas, Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, who accompanied Musenero, said he was encouraged by the progress made in developing Uganda’s oil industry.
Kaliisa said the discovery of oil in Uganda dates back about 40 years and recalled being among a small group involved in the early stages of the sector.
He said Uganda was now moving steadily towards commercialising its petroleum resources and improving the country’s earnings.
Kaliisa urged residents of Bunyoro and other Ugandans to prepare to take advantage of opportunities expected to arise from the oil sector.
He said the opportunities would benefit those who invest and prepare early.
“A lot of opportunities are coming, but they will be grabbed by those that will be ready,” Kaliisa said.
