Analysis of the Legal and Institutional Framework for Oil and Gas Governance in Hoima, Buliisa and Kikuube Districts, Bunyoro Sub-region, Uganda
Abstract
The discovery of commercially viable oil and gas in 2006 in the Albertine region, specifically in the districts of Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube, has signalled a social and economic transformation of Uganda. However, the legal, institutional and human rights frameworks governing the sub-sector remain contested. The study explores the effectiveness of Uganda’s oil and gas governance in Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube districts by analysing the legal and institutional frameworks, environmental governance, community participation, land rights and human rights. Drawing on the qualitative approach with 120 stakeholders through FGDs and KIIs, the findings reveal that centralised governance, legal pluralism, weak environmental enforcement, and gender inequities undermine inclusive development. The study recommends enhancing fiscal decentralisation, integrating the customary tenure system, and enforcing rights-based safeguards for equitable oil governance
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Copyright (c) 2025 Vincent Kisembo, Tom Ogwang, PhD, Grace Kagoro, PhD, Siri Ellen Hallstrøm Eriksen, PhD
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