Bunyoro leaders demand opportunities in oil sector
‘’We can’t have oil, and our people remain unemployed. As leaders, we are advocating for the employment of our people.’’
Hoima: The Bunyoro region, with its burgeoning oil industry, is grappling with the need for local participation and employment opportunities.
Since the discovery of commercially viable oil deposits on the shores of Lake Albert in mid-western Uganda, significant infrastructural projects have emerged in the Bunyoro Sub-region.
These projects include roads, well pads, hydro-power dams, and upcoming developments like the Kabalega International Airport, central processing facilities (CPFs), and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
President Museveni has emphasized that these projects will not only create jobs but also extend essential services like electricity, water, and healthcare to local communities.
Leaders in Bunyoro are urging oil companies to prioritize local content by employing indigenous people.
This was raised on Saturday, July 13, 2024, during the commemoration of the belated women’s day for Hoima district held at Kigorobya Muslim Primary School in Kigorobya Sub County.
Uthuman Mugisha Mubarak, the Hoima District LCV Chairman, highlighted that many Bunyoro residents are not being considered for oil jobs.
He, however, said they are engaging oil companies operating in Bunyoro to consider employing the indigenous people.
‘’Most people employed in the oil sector are from other regions, but we are engaging the oil companies to see that our own people are grabbing the opportunities in the oil sector.’’
Harriet Businge Mugenyi, the Hoima district woman MP, advocates for the implementation of local content to benefit the people of Bunyoro.
‘’We can’t have oil, and our people remain unemployed. As leaders, we are advocating for the employment of our people.’’
Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of the Ugandan parliament who presided over the function, acknowledged that oil companies have awarded scholarships to indigenous individuals but also encouraged employment opportunities for other Ugandans.
During the Bunyoro Kingdom Coronation (Empango) celebrations, Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom raised a concern of few people from Bunyoro being employed in the sector.
He therefore asked leaders in the regions to advocate for the employment of Bunyoro residents in the oil sector.
Chris Ocowun, the Public Relations Officer for Total Energies, has several times emphasized that they prioritize indigenous people for casual jobs and advertise positions through various channels.
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