Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kampala (Agenzia Fides)- The discovery of oil in western Uganda could turn land disputes among farmers and herdsmen for the control of the best pastures into more serious incidents in order to lay hands on the black “manna”. According to the Daily Monitor 25 square miles of land disputed for some time by Bagungu locals and Balaalo herdsmen is part of a 55 mile strip where oil prospecting will soon begin.
The companies involve say the territory could hold vast reserves of oil. For years the Bagungu and the Balaalo have disputed over this common property land: the former to grow cotton and the latter to graze herds. Now the prospect of having the right to a percentage of the oil profits has heightened the dispute. Both sides want exclusive rights of the land to obtain a percentage on the oil. The police has deployed extra forces in the area with road blocks every two miles.
The area is said to contain reserves for an estimated 973 million barrels of oil and considerable quantity of gas.
The oil found so far in Uganda is of good “light” quality, easily transportable by pipeline to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. The pipeline will be built of the companies think there is sufficient oil for exportation. In any case the oil will serve the local market and also markets in neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya. In fact a small refinery is being built to supply paraffin and diesel fuel.
Exploitation of oil in Uganda encounters environment difficulties. It is important not to damage the ecosystem of the rain forests which contain a variety of plans and animals, a genetic treasure with potential developments in the pharmaceutical field. And above all there is fear for the local water reserves, among the most important in Africa. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2007 righe 32 parole 377)
