Africa’s natural resources.

Can Uganda avert the African resource curse?

The term “resource curse” is often used in reference to the mismanagement and unsustainable exploitation of Africa’s vast natural resources. Uganda has recently made discovery of large oil deposits, and has established production of hydro electricity and biofuel. How can Uganda learn from other African countries’ experiences and use their resources to achieve positive economic and political development? And how can Norwegian policy contribute to such a development?"

In countries like Nigeria, DRC and Southern Sudan we have seen that the discovery and extraction of natural resources like oil has led to conflict, corruption, increased poverty and unequal distribution of its dividends. One reason for this is that vast income from natural resources means less dependency on taxes from the public. This tempts some leaders to keep the income to themselves while the inhabitants see little or nothing to the benefits generated from the resources. Some places conflicts also seem to be fuelled by the very presence of natural resources as different groups in the society fight for their share.

Uganda has recently made discovery of large oil deposits in the Lake Albert region near the Congolese (DRC) border. The oil reserves is said to be the largest onshore discovery in sub-Saharan Africa. The government of Uganda has kept all the oil exploration agreements secret from the Parliament and the civil society. With the new elections coming up next year, many now ask how this discovery will affect the country’s democracy. Will the oil discovery with its vast economic implications lead to increased corruption as seen in so many other African states? And will it affect next year’s elections? Is it possible that this will increase the undemocratic trends of the Museveni Government seen earlier? How can Uganda learn from other oil-producing countries experiences and avert the resource curse? What role should the Ugandan civil society play in this process and how can they advocate securing accountability and transparency?

Norway has a long tradition for giving development aid to Uganda, and has for fifteen years also been involved in capacity building in the country’s petroleum sector. Today Uganda is one of Norad’s Oil for Development programmes’ (OfD) long term core cooperation countries. Norwegian companies do also have interests in Uganda’s natural resources. For example are several Norwegian companies involved in the construction and operation of power stations. Questions that arise are, among others: How can Norway assist Uganda, both bi- and multilaterally, in securing a sustainable extraction and management of their natural resources? Do the Norwegian commercial interests contribute to or conflict with a sustainable development?

Tidspunkt

Fredag 19/11, 14.00-16.00

Rom

Blå salong

Innledere

Cyril Obi, Andrew Kroglund, Petter Nore, Ibrahim Kasita, Jane Nalunga

Møteleder

Carol Azungi Dralega

Arrangør

Norwegian Council for Africa og Uganda Association in Norway

Temaspor

Klima, miljø og energi