Africa economy
In Uganda, the oil route changes daily life [2/4]
Audio 02:23
Work on the “oil road” near Buliisa, July 16, 2022. © Charlotte Cosset / RFI
By: Charlotte Cosset Follow
2 mins
In Uganda, the repercussions of the oil extraction project in the Hoima region are very concrete in the daily lives of the populations of this landlocked region.
Major change: the construction of the paved road, now nicknamed the “oil road”.
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From our special correspondent, back from Buliisa, Uganda
In Buliisa, on the edge of the road being finished, Lydia Barungi sells phone credit under a colorful umbrella.
Like many, she left her village to settle in Buliisa.
“
Because here, for sure, there is business to be done.
At least you can earn money, not like in other places.
And in the future, we expect more work
,” she says.
This ribbon of bitumen has changed the daily life of the inhabitants of the region.
Gilbert Stephen Munange is a former elected official.
A farmer, he lives in the village of Kasinyi about ten kilometers from the market.
“
This village used to be very isolated, you couldn't even get to it.
But now, we move as if we were on a magic carpet.
This road facilitates travel and therefore the sale of our products, because it is easy to go to the market.
I go there every day.
Before, I didn't go there, because I could have pushed my bike and got tired before I even arrived
, ”he explains.
These are nearly 500 kilometers of roads traced in the oil region.
And most of the work has already been completed, says Hennery Sebukeera of the national planning authority.
“Oil roads are only part of the infrastructure that needs to be developed so that we can increase the potential we have in the oil and gas sector.
But yes, the government has made substantial investments in the oil roads to ensure access to the opportunities that we will have in this sector”.
A road that brings many hopes, but also fears for these rural populations.
Moses Bedijo is a community representative near a future well.
“See that big tree?
That's where the road is where the trucks go all the time.
And behind, after this, there is a lane for trucks, which goes to the future wells.
This community fears traffic.
People complain about the dust.
My fear is all these trucks to come.
We have young children here,” worries Moses.
Moses fears accidents.
In addition, environmental advocates point to the environmental impact of these major roads.
One of them crosses the protected park of Murchison Falls.
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Economy
Africa
Uganda
Economy Africa
Raw materials
Oil