The Bunyoro region, home to Uganda’s burgeoning oil industry, is facing significant challenges in ensuring local participation and employment opportunities for its residents.

Since the discovery of commercially viable oil deposits along the shores of Lake Albert in mid-western Uganda, the Bunyoro Sub-region has seen the emergence of substantial infrastructural projects. These 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).

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President Museveni has emphasized that these projects are designed to create jobs and extend essential services such as electricity, water, and healthcare to local communities. However, regional leaders are urging oil companies to prioritize local content by employing indigenous people.

During a commemoration of the belated Women’s Day for Hoima District at Kigorobya Muslim Primary School in Kigorobya Sub County on Saturday, July 13, 2024, this issue was brought to the forefront. Uthuman Mugisha Mubarak, the Hoima District LCV Chairman, pointed out that many Bunyoro residents are being overlooked for oil sector jobs. He stated, “Most people employed in the oil sector are from other regions, but we are engaging the oil companies to ensure our people are grabbing the opportunities in the oil sector.”

Harriet Businge Mugenyi, the Hoima District Woman MP, echoed this sentiment, advocating for the implementation of local content policies to benefit Bunyoro’s residents. “We can’t have oil, and our people remain unemployed. As leaders, we are advocating for the employment of our people,” she said.

Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, who presided over the function, acknowledged that while oil companies have awarded scholarships to indigenous individuals, there needs to be a greater focus on providing employment opportunities for Bunyoro residents.

During the Bunyoro Kingdom Coronation (Empango) celebrations, Andrew Byakutaga, the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom, also raised concerns about the limited employment of Bunyoro residents in the oil sector. He urged regional leaders to advocate more strongly for the employment of local people.

Chris Ocowun, the Public Relations Officer for Total Energies, reiterated the company’s commitment to prioritizing indigenous people for casual jobs and emphasized that they advertise positions through various channels to ensure broad access.