Monday, June 29th, 2026 | By
While in Bunyoro in Western Uganda recently, Uganda’s Vice President Major (Rtd) Jessica Alupo urged residents of the region to continue supporting investors and government-led development projects, saying Uganda’s oil and gas investments will create jobs, stimulate economic growth and transform the region.
Alupo made the remarks after leading a delegation of Cabinet ministers, permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies on a tour of the CNOOC-operated Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA) in Kikuube District and Kabaale Pump Station 1 in Hoima District, the starting point of the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) to the Port of Tanga in Tanzania.
She said the progress made across Uganda’s oil fields and related infrastructure demonstrates that the country is steadily advancing towards economic self-reliance and its ambition of attaining upper middle-income status.
“I know the people of Bunyoro support the government, and investors have not raised any concerns. They should continue embracing these projects because they offer development and employment opportunities for the region and the country as a whole,” Ms Alupo said.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the ongoing investments in Bunyoro reflect the government’s commitment to transforming the region and improving livelihoods at individual, household and national levels.
She noted that the oil and gas developments have already delivered major infrastructure projects, including Kabalega International Airport, while paving the way for further investments such as the Hoima City Stadium, which will host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Because of oil and gas, we got Kabalega International Airport, and because of the airport, we secured the stadium. With the stadium, many developments have followed. We thank the President and the government for recognizing the support we have always rendered. We are now on another level,” Ms Nabbanja
It’s however surprising that the views of high-ranking government official sharply contradicts with those of community members.
While interacting with communities in different areas, especially those affected by the East African Crude Pipeline, EACOP, community members raised a number of concerns that, if well analyzed, clear show a huge divide between what government thinks as progress and what the community has realized.
Ms.Fatuma Nalweyiso of Kikajjo village in Nabulembeko Parish Wattuba Sub County in Kyankwanzi district says the pipeline passed through our land and our graveyards were affected.
“We were promised compensation for those graveyards but that hasn’t happened. We appeal to government to come to our rescue”’, Nalweyiso explained.
Samuel Abedilembe of Kijumba village in Kabaale Sub County says compensation of affected person what poorly done.
“When it comes to compensations, we were poorly compensated. They did valuation of our property but when the report came out, we had the poorest rates. Our compensation wasn’t only little but it even delayed”, Mr. Abedilembe narrated.
Ms.AnnMary Kityo of Kikajjo in Kyankwanzi says that for those that were lucky to get compensation, they got it without any financial literacy skills and in the end it was misused.
“People were not educated on how effectively to use the compensation money. In the end, most misused it and caused more suffering,” explained Mrs. Kityo.
Ms. Theresa Bamuteze, an 82-year-old woman from Basangazi village, Nabulembeko parish, Kyankwanzi district, says her property was poorly valued but even getting the little that was approved has proved futile.
“I was promised 1,920,000 Uganda shilling but even getting it is proving to be futile. I have moved to every office but can’t get helped”, a seemingly desperate Bamuteze explained.
Gideon Akankwasa’s isn’t so different from that of Ms. Bamuteze. Akankwasa of Kijumba Village in Kabaale sub county Hoima district says the money they were given for their land couldn’t facilitate land acquisition of land elsewhere.
“If they gave you three million shillings for your acre of land, you would move to buy the same piece elsewhere and find it at eight million shillings” explained Mr. Akankwasa.
These and many more concerns are repeatedly being raised by community members but unfortunately government continues to show that all is well. Government has a lot to do to synchronize what they are view as benefits and what the community expects and views as benefits.
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