The Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Next Media Group have launched the 90-day oil and mining media campaign in which they will be highlighting the journey for Uganda’s oil sector.
Speaking at the opening of the campaign, the UCMP council chairman, Dr. Elly Karuhanga said the campaign was motivated by the ongoing changes including the preparation for the oil and gas development stage and revamping of the mineral sector.
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“All this is happening in a time of global abnormalities occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic that necessitates applying ourselves to the new realities of global order. Worse still, at country level, it is the electioneering period in preparation for the 2021 general elections. Yet these events have not in any way slowed down the negotiations in the oil subsector,”Karuhanga said.
According to Sam Thakkar, the UCMP General Secretary, the oil sector is something that Ugandans should be proud of.
“It is one of the biggest things that we could be very proud of as Ugandans because whilst we have the pandemic and the struggles going on, preparations are underway for the oil to come out of the ground and we have opportunities in abundance for Ugandans and Ugandan businesses to participate,”Thakkar said.
“It is a very good time for us to focus our attention on those things. We are on the brink of where to go forward; yes, we have had delays but we expect that this is going to reap great rewards for us in the future.”
Dr. Elly Karuhanga highlighted the need for all the sector players to get ready to take part in happenings in the sector.
“It is time to get ready. What better way than to be equipped with information?” he remarked.
The 90 days of oil and mining campaign will showcase the various activities taking place, the journey covered so far, the commitment of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum members and the opportunities available in both subsectors with the aim of reaching at least five million people.
Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), Proscovia Nabbanja, retaliated government’s readiness to do business noting that they will ensure resources are exploited in a sustainable manner.
She noted that the National Content Fund has been developed to assist Ugandan entities that intend to venture into this sector, but may not necessarily have the capacity to do so.
