Reports Leo Odera Omolo

Tension is building up following growing agitation for direct sharing in oil revenue by communities in Western Uganda oil wells regions are reportedly is casting a pall over the future prospects of the country’s political stability as it moves to the commencing of commercial oil production.

The traditional leaders of Bunyoro, the areas where the bulk of the oil reserves lies underneath, led the charge in late May his year, when they stormed parliament in the capital, Kampala demanding a 12.5 per cent royalty on oil revenue.

And last week another cultural institution in North Western Uganda joined the bandwagon. Although no figures are available to give an idea of exactly how much the Nebbi Cultural Institution would be expecting, experts say ,the development raises the prospect of possible wrangling as marginalized communities resource rich areas stand up for what they believe to be once in life time opportunity to improve their lot.

Fear persists, however, that these demands could take a direction of violent protest if a sense that they are not being adequately compensated for their land, employment or getting community development and broader social investments emerges.

“I communities begin demanding for higher percentage in shares, it will set a precedent where mineral sites may brig conflicts as they start fighting for their shares of royalties. Far from brining wealth and health, we may get ethnic politics,” said Ndebesa Mwbestya, a Makerere University don in the Department of History and Development studies.

Apparently the cultural institutions view their demands as a necessity for peaceful co-=existence with the oil companies operating in their localities. That is why mid June the Nebbi Cultural leader Rwoth Charles Umbidi spelt it out what hi flock expect from the oil companies- improved schools, hospitals and construction of cultural sites on top of jobs to appease the gods ‘ of our ancestors”. We do not want our gods to be annoyed with noise during exploration, so to appease them we must perform our rituals.” said Umbidi.

While it is a popular view that the communities hosting the mineral wealth got a share of revenues, Bunyoro’s demand is likely to escalate the tension between the Kingdom and the central government of President Yoweri Museveni, if government’s amendments to the Finance Bill is passed in its current form A district may, in consultation with the ministries responsible for culture and local governments, grant a share of the royalties due to the district, to a cultural or traditional institution, “reads the proposed law.

Ideally, this leaves the traditional leaders at the mercy of the local government which is expected to raise disagreements and political temperature.

Ends