PRIVATE OIL COMPANIES IN BUNYORO ACCUSED OF LEAVING OUT LOCAL PEOPLE

By Moses Andama
www.mknewslink.om
In Hoima—
Leaders and residents in the Bunyoro Sub-region have expressed dissatisfaction with oil and gas companies, accusing them of failing to fulfil their commitments to prioritise local content through employment and business opportunities for host communities.
Several local leaders and residents say oil and gas companies have not done enough to ensure meaningful participation of local people in the sector, particularly in employment and the awarding of contracts.
Speaking on the matter, Hoima District LCV Chairperson, Mugisha Uthman Mubarak, said there are irregularities in the recruitment process, noting that local workers are often offered only low-paying casual jobs.
He also alleged that when contracts are awarded, companies from the Bunyoro region are often given low-value contracts, limiting meaningful local participation in the oil and gas sector.
Mugisha further urged oil and gas companies to strengthen their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes to support project host local governments.
Hoima District Woman MP Wembabazi Beatrice called for the recruitment of community liaison officers to help local residents register and access available opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
She also encouraged local communities to embrace local content initiatives that would enable them to benefit from the opportunities created by the industry.
Kusemererwa Leonard, a Hoima City resident and local contractor, expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of some oil companies, saying they have done more harm than good to local businesses.
He claimed that his company, together with others in the Bunyoro region, is owed approximately US$10 million for services provided more than three years ago, adding that the payments remain outstanding.
However, Kusemererwa declined to disclose the name of the company allegedly responsible for the unpaid arrears.
Mwesigwa Richard, popularly known as “Senior Carpenter” in Hoima City, called upon oil and gas companies to prioritise the participation of communities hosting the projects.
Bunyoro is currently home to two major oil and gas developments: the Kingfisher Project, operated by CNOOC Uganda Limited, and the Tilenga Project, operated by TotalEnergies EP Uganda.
Responding to the concerns, Eric Odongo, an economist at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), encouraged local business owners to register their companies on the National Supplier Database (NSD) to qualify for contracts in the oil and gas sector.
Regarding delayed payments, Odongo advised contractors to be proactive when bidding for contracts and to form joint ventures to meet the capacity requirements needed to execute larger projects.
He added that disputes between contractors and oil companies are currently before the President, leaving the Petroleum Authority without the mandate to intervene.
Meanwhile, Kiconco Roidah, Head of Exploration and New Ventures at the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), said there has been significant improvement in Ugandan participation in the sector, with many beneficiaries coming from the Bunyoro Sub-region.
She attributed the progress to the efforts by oil companies to equip local communities with the skills required to work in the oil and gas industry.
Jessica Kyeyune, National Content Specialist at UNOC, urged local entrepreneurs and farmers to explore opportunities beyond oil and gas by preparing to supply products and services to the planned oil refinery, Kabalega Industrial Park and the international airport.
She added that the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the refinery is expected by December this year, after which construction is projected to take about three years.
The remarks were made during a supplier development workshop held yesterday in Hoima City, which aimed to empower local communities and businesses to compete effectively in Uganda’s growing oil and gas sector.