Government will deliver the best supporting services to the Oil and Gas sector, while at the same time promoting tourism in Uganda, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda has said.
Speaking at an oil and gas forum at the Serena Hotel, Dr. Rugunda noted that the government was also focusing on skills training for the oil and gas sector professionals.
“We are aware of lack skills in the Oil and Gas sector. However, government in collaboration with private companies is bridging the gap through training of Makerere and Kyambogo (university) that award certificates in oil and gas, welding and fabrication in a bid to make the best use of oil resources,” Dr. Rugunda said.
Dr. Rugunda also noted that the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) is constructing roads in Hoima, Masindi, and Kisoro to connect areas with oil to the crude oil pipeline.
Further, Dr. Rugunda said, electricity is being extended to areas where the Oil and Gas operations are set to be executed, and two big dam projects are being carried out in Karuma and the 183.2 megawatts Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station.
Earlier, the Minister for Trade and Cooperatives Amelia Kyambadde said that alongside creating over 13, 000 jobs for Ugandans, emphasis has given to protecting the environment especially in regard to promoting tourism in Uganda.
It is estimated that Uganda has over 6.5 billion barrels of oil of which about 1.7 billion barrels are recoverable, and commercial production is expected to begin by 2020.
