The socio-economic and environmental implications of oil and gas exploration: Perspectives at the micro level in the Albertine region of Uganda

The recent oil and gas exploration activities in the Albertine region of western Uganda has raised a debate on the plight of the local people at various scales. We used local perspectives on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of oil and gas exploration activities as a lens to examine the extent to which the “resource curse” and “resource blessing” theories are applicable in the oil and gas exploration sites in Uganda. Data was collected from Kyeihoro and Kaiso villages in Hoima district, western Uganda. Exploratory research design in which a total of 285 households randomly selected participated in a survey. The most mentioned positive socio-economic impacts were not directly linked to oil and gas exploration and these included: construction of roads and increased business opportunities. Direct positive impacts such as employment and increased wage rates were the least mentioned. The views of proponents of the “resource curse” theory were also reflected in the perspectives and these included: price inflation, increase in social ills and environmental degradation especially noise pollution, soil erosion and wildlife disturbance. The perceptions of local people indicate that oil and gas exploration activities can be both a “blessing” or “curse”.