President Museveni has urged residents in Bunyoro and oil-hosting districts, including Buliisa, to ensure that they fully benefit from the country’s oil resources.
Speaking during a public address in Hoima city, Museveni emphasized that while infrastructure projects such as roads for oil and tourism are important, the real gains for communities come from employment and local enterprise initiatives.
He said, “The oil resource is bringing many opportunities to Bunyoro and the host districts like Buliisa. However, we must ensure our people do not fall into the misfortune of living near opportunity without benefiting from it. The roads for oil and tourism are important, but the real benefit comes from work and enterprise through PDM, Emyooga, OWC, GROW and the direct jobs created.”
The President also reminded residents that oil wealth alone does not make a nation prosperous.
“I reminded the people that the richest oil countries are not the richest nations. They prosper because they invest their revenues wisely. Uganda will also gain from oil, but we must have a proper plan that benefits both the country and the local people. This is why it is important to listen to the NRM message on wealth creation and household income,” he said.
Museveni’s remarks come amid ongoing efforts to ensure that oil revenues contribute to broad-based economic development and improve household incomes in host communities.