Analysis: Uganda oil and gas exploration in direct conflict with PAs, especially Murchison NP
The excitement over vast oil and gas discoveries in Uganda has just began; but it may not climax as yet, as serious environmental concerns arise — the same areas that have the minerals beneath, provides for over 70 per cent of the country’s conservation areas for wildlife and natural forest resources at the top.
Now the country is at a crossroads, to exploit all the oil wells at the detriment of the environment and perish or strike a balance between conservation and development.
This will entail leaving some of the protected areas off limits, or maintaining only protected areas viewed to be more important and let others be degazzeted.
Given the revenue projections accruing from oil, the government is likely to exploit all the wells.