In the pursuit of Uganda's Vision 2040, where oil and gas are envisioned as catalysts for national development, civil society actors in the sector find themselves locked in a struggle against bureaucracy, restricted access to vital information, and what they describe as overzealousness by security organs.
"Denial of access to key information is a significant obstacle hindering our efforts to ensure transparency in the oil and gas sector," said Onesmus Mugyenyi, ACODE deputy executive director said.
Civil society voices, including Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance also raised concerns about the endemic bureaucracy within government bodies and reported ill-treatment at the hands of security operatives.
"Bureaucracy and ill-treatment by security operatives create formidable barriers in our quest for transparency," lamented Sarah Bireete.
In response to these challenges, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafiire, cautioned civil society against succumbing to pressures opposing Uganda's oil exploration.
"Civil society must remain steadfast and not bow to forces opposing Uganda's oil exploration," warned Gen Kahinda Otafiire.
The Ministry of Energy also echoed this sentiment, urging civil society to guard against misinformation and maintain a focus on the accountability and sustainability of the oil exploration process.
"It is crucial for civil society to avoid misinformation and concentrate on ensuring accountability in the oil and gas sector," emphasized Honey Malinga, Commissioner for Petroleum Development.
This quarterly engagement between the government and civil society organizations aims to mend the trust deficit that often characterizes their relationship.
NGOs are frequently portrayed as acting in bad faith due to their activism in the oil and gas sector. The government emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to harness the potential of oil and gas for the country's development
