Govt Moves to Counter 'Negative Propaganda’ in Oil and Gas Sector

What the report says

Uganda’s government is preparing a coordinated communications plan aimed at pushing back against what officials call negative propaganda about the country’s oil and gas industry as the nation gets closer to first oil. Energy and Mineral Development Minister Monica Musenero said the effort will require departments and agencies under her ministry to align their messaging, with a particular focus on young people and on giving the public more reliable information about the sector.

Musenero made the comments during a tour of oil and gas sites in the Bunyoro sub-region, including Pump Station One, Kabalega International Airport and the Kingfisher oil field, ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s expected visit to Kingfisher in Kikuube District. She said some criticism of oil development was being driven by foreigners through Ugandans and argued that the ministry must explain the sector’s importance to the economy while addressing environmental concerns.

The minister also said the ministry is being reorganized to improve coordination among its units, which she said sometimes work separately. She said technology would be used to create stronger links between leadership and other departments. In addition, she questioned how much local benefit Ugandans will see if crude is transported through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline to Tanzania while refinery plans continue.

Musenero urged institutions including the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, EACOP and UNOC to explain how oil will create jobs and industries for Ugandans. Separately, senior presidential adviser Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa said the sector is moving toward commercialization and that residents should prepare to benefit from future opportunities.