Discovery of Oil: Community Perceptions and Expectations in Uganda’s Albertine Region
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Sustainable Development
Abstract
This study was conducted to interrogate local perceptions and expectations from the discovery of oil in the
Albertine Graben of Uganda. We interviewed 50 residents (30 men and 20 women) from Butiaba and Wanseko
(Buliisa district), Kyehoro and Kabaale villages (Hoima district). The villages were purposively selected to have
a representation of the districts in the Albertine region where Oil discovery activities are currently being
implemented but also to explore any differences in perceptions that may be linked to livelihood options of the
respondents. We applied narrative analysis. Overall, we observed minimal pessimism as residents expressed
concerns over environmental degradation, political tensions and land conflicts following oil activities, but there
was a dominance of optimism as communities envisaged that the oil industry will create employment,
infrastructural development, improved access to electricity, and enhanced social status. The findings
demonstrated that communities living in areas where extractive resources such as oil and gas have been
discovered tend to be more optimistic with very minimal pessimism in their expectations during the phase of
upstream activities of the oil value chain. The findings challenge the dominant narrative that residents where
energy development and other land use changes are being implemented tend to have negative expectations -a
phenomenon known as NIMBY (Not-In- My-Back-Yard). We identify the need to develop strong institutional
frameworks that harness benefits from oil to improve local livelihoods without compromising the environment
and enhancing participation of locals in decision making processes.
Description
Keywords
Oil exploration, Oil curse, Resource curse, Albertine, NIMBY, Uganda
Citation
Tumusiime, D. M., Mawejje, J., & Byakagaba, P. (2018). Discovery of oil: Community perceptions and expectations in Uganda’s Albertine Region. Journal of Sustainable Development. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v9n6p1