National
Oil case hearing starts
In Summary
The government has been in the spotlight over the way it is handling the oil prospects in the Albertine region.Recently, the country was shocked to learn that Heritage, one of the companies exploring the oil, had sold its shares without the knowledge of the government.
Kampala
Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court has heard that Uganda’s newly-discovered oil is a public asset and all information related to its transaction should not be done in secrecy.
This was the first hearing in a case where two journalists are challenging the decision by the Solicitor General to deny them access to information regarding production and sharing agreements on oil exploitation.
Journalists Charles Mwanguhya Mpagi and Angelo Izama of Daily Monitor are seeking for disclosure in order to empower the public to participate in government decisions for efficiency.
The two told Magistrate Deo Ssejjemba that they want court to order the government to implement the Access to Information Act.
Representing the state, Attorney Fatuma Nanziri said the government was still opposed to releasing the agreements. She was allowed to make her submission in writing by Wednesday, next week.
The government has been in the spotlight over the way it is handling the oil prospects in the Albertine region.Recently, the country was shocked to learn that Heritage, one of the companies exploring the oil, had sold its shares without the knowledge of the government.
Mr Ssejjemba asked the state to serve the applicants’ attorney to enable him reply by December 30. He also said that the ruling will be made on notice.
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