The European Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek, has rallied the people of the Bunyoro sub-region to prepare and position themselves to tap into opportunities that will accrue from the oil and gas sector discovered in their area and other key government infrastructure being undertaken in the region.
Sadek says that with the commercial production expected to begin later this year (2026), various initiatives are underway to help residents and businesses benefit from the crucial industry.
Addressing leaders, stakeholders, and oil companies at Hoima city stadium, Sadek said the construction of critical facilities, including the airport, the refinery, the industry park, roads, and the Hoima city international stadium, due to the discovery of the oil and gas resource, is expected to boost tourism in the Albertine region and encourage investment in hospitality services.
He says leaders and the government should provide and prepare citizens with information on the available opportunities that will accrue from the various government infrastructure projects being undertaken in the sub-region.
Sadek adds that as these developments are being initiated in the region, many tourists, investors, and Europeans from across the world will flock to the area since it is going to be one of Uganda’s important economic centers.
He has challenged residents to invest in the tourism and hospitality sectors and others in order to benefit from people who will be flocking to the region.
Robert Kunihira, a resident of Hoima City, says that though many people would like to work and get opportunities in the oil and gas sector, not much information is being made available to them by the oil companies on the available opportunities.
Charles Wandera, a resident of Kiganda cell in Hoima West division, says there is a lot of bureaucracy in accessing oil and gas information, especially for the local people who would want to supply the sector.
Sadek is leading a team of EU ambassadors who are currently on their annual joint mission to the Bunyoro sub-region to engage with local leaders, cultural institutions, civil society, private sector actors, and oil and gas operators to better understand the region’s opportunities and challenges-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
