20, 171 What’s the color of Uganda’s Oil? By: Tumusiime K. Deo International Communications Consultant Sometimes when you hear the kind of discussions going on around the Oil question in Uganda, you may think as if ours is color red or Blue or perhaps Yellow. Well, since the experts predict that actual extraction of Oil may only start around 2017, who would blame a layman for thinking it any other color other than the age-old Black? And surely when that time comes, those that will still be living shall tell the story of what the actual color of Uganda’s Oil shall be! However, while the masses anxiously wait to see the color of Uganda’s Oil, so much bickering has been going on already for a few years. People are haggling over who gets what, when and how-and the last time I sat in a class of Political Science, these questions were said to amount to the definition of the concept of Politics. And true, it may be four years until the first barrel makes way to the market, but already money in Billions has exchanged hands and some individuals have their tummies bulging-thanks to the discovery of Oil. The thought of Oil and politics however, must send chills to anyone watching the events of the recent days, particularly in Parliament where members have been seen flexing muscles over really simple questions. This, not so much that the questions are hard to answer, but the truth appears only to be so, depending on which side of the political divide one’s coming from. Experience shows that such is a risky precedent for our Baby Oil. The above notwithstanding, experience from other countries that discovered oil before us, proves one inalienable fact- that Oil is indeed color Black. So if Oil in Ghana is Black; Oil is Mozambique is Black; Oil in D.R Congo is Black; Oil in Nigeria is Black; and we are told Oil in Trinidad and Tobago is also Black; then the probability of Oil in Uganda being Black is One. However, due to the dirtiness of politics in many African countries, people conflict over the color of Oil; conflicting over its taste and texture; conflicting over whether it’s fluid or solid; whether it’s for now or for the future; whether it’s a free God-given resource for all or is the preserve of the regime in power, e.t.c. Sadly, while Oil is such a key resource for the growth of any economy, it’s also very lethal-Oil burns; Oil corrupts-and when it does, it really does. I listened to Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka during an Oil conference held at the Golf-Course Hotel in Kampala. The minister mentioned, and quite eloquently so, that her ministry and the Government of Uganda were committed to ensuring transparency in matters pertaining Oil revenue. One way to achieve this, she suggested, was to ensure that Parliament approves all Oil funds to be spent! Very good suggestion Madam Minister, but as long as Parliament is still behaving like we’ve seen in recent days; then government would have to do so much to convince Ugandans about the promised transparency. Members of Parliament must be carefully reminded that unlike other resources, Oil carries a tag reading “Danger”-and when it explodes, it does not discriminate which political bench one sits. Yet if everybody is in agreement on the obvious color of Oil and its inherent potential, it could obviously and significantly so, change Uganda’s fortunes never to be the same again. The people in Trinidad and Tobago (T and T) for example secured bragging rights the moment they unanimously agreed as a country that Oil is Black and Oil is good and that Oil can bless the life of every citizen like none other resource. Today, the people of T and T are living their heaven on earth- after all, this is what God intended for his creation when he brought to brith lots of beautiful resources and placed them under his people’s custody. T and T is a country of our generation, and we can choose to catch the next plane, travel there and learn from their practical experience. I hate to hear the speculation that Oil is a curse, because surely that’s not what God intended it to be-yet as we’ve seen in countries like Nigeria, it has the potential of being such a curse especially for those on the leap side of it. My humble appeal is for the government of Uganda to try and get its calculations right from the start. Four years is good enough to set a firm foundation, so that once Oil rains, it spills prosperity unto Mother Uganda-this has been so long overdue. It’s important to avoid cocoons and be as open as possible, so that Oil can benefit all citizens since it’s a national resource. Up to this point, the role played by non-government players-the Media and Civil Society cannot be overstated. These can play the much needed watchdog role and bridge the gap between government and the anxious population. It is imperative to note though, that for the Media and Civil Society to effectively perform; their role must be expressly captured and stipulated in key policy documents. Otherwise, if these ‘dogs’ only bark from the sidelines; their voices may pretty much be easily brushed aside. I am also thinking that Ugandans deserve to have a strong stake not just in providing casual labor but the actual drilling and management of Oil. This would facilitate a natural trickle down of wealth generated. True, Oil is a new phenomenon in Uganda’s history and we may feel like we lack the expertise it takes to make the most of it, but like I earlier mentioned, other countries have been there before and we could borrow not just a leaf but leaves to kick-start our own journey. Oil is here: May God continue to bless Uganda!
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 18:34:13 +0000
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