The socio-economic and environmental implications of oil and gas exploration: Perspectives at the micro level in the Albertine region of Uganda
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Extractive Industries and Society
Abstract
The recent oil and gas exploration activities in the Albertine region of western Uganda has raised a debate on the
plight of the local people at various scales. We used local perspectives on the socio-economic and environmental
impacts of oil and gas exploration activities as a lens to examine the extent to which the “resource curse” and
“resource blessing” theories are applicable in the oil and gas exploration sites in Uganda. Data was collected
from Kyeihoro and Kaiso villages in Hoima district, western Uganda. Exploratory research design in which a
total of 285 households randomly selected participated in a survey. The most mentioned positive socio-economic
impacts were not directly linked to oil and gas exploration and these included: construction of roads and increased
business opportunities. Direct positive impacts such as employment and increased wage rates were the
least mentioned. The views of proponents of the “resource curse” theory were also reflected in the perspectives
and these included: price inflation, increase in social ills and environmental degradation especially noise pollution,
soil erosion and wildlife disturbance. The perceptions of local people indicate that oil and gas exploration
activities can be both a “blessing” or “curse”.
Description
Keywords
Albertine, Socio-economic and environmental impacts, Oil and gas, Uganda
Citation
Byakagaba, P., Mugagga, F., & Nnakayima, D. (2019). The socio-economic and environmental implications of oil and gas exploration: Perspectives at the micro level in the Albertine region of Uganda. The Extractive Industries and Society, 6(2), 358-366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2019.01.006