Hoima leaders are demanding for accountability from oil exploration companies operating in their district.
During a meeting with Tullow Oil at Hoima Kolping Hotel yesterday, members of the district council accused the company and its partner, Heritage Oil, of deliberately sidelining them. They said the companies hadn't bothered to inform them of their activities and the council is in the dark about one of the largest oil exploration ventures in Africa taking place right in its backyard.
Yunus Mugabe, the district council speaker, says the meeting was intended to iron out the issues of contention surrounding oil exploration in Hoima. He says the council acted in its right demand that Tullow and Heritage Oil explain exactly what they are doing on the shores of Lake Albert and why they are not in closer partnership with the district authorities.
The LC5 deputy chairperson of Hoima, Eddie Kyamulesere, contends that it is easy for the district to be robbed of its oil wealth because it is not informed on what is taking place. He wants the oil companies to update the district, on a regular basis, on their work in order to promote openness in the young sector.
Today Tullow Oil announced its seventh successful exploration program at Nsoga-1 well near the Butiaba Port in Hoima.
Brian Glover, manager of Tullow Oil Uganda, says his company has been open about every step of its activities in the country. He says he hasn't disclosed details of the construction of an oil refinery or revenue sharing contracts because those are in the hands of the Central Government.
