Mad rush for Kayunga land as government hints at oil exploration
The Kayunga District LC IV chairman, Mr Tom Sserwanga, is optimistic that oil discovery in the district would lead to a speedy development of the area. FILE PHOTO
What you need to know:
- The official’s pronouncement, perhaps explains why there has been an increase in the number of land buyers in the semi-arid Bbaale County, located north of the district. The area is part of the cattle corridor.
- Currently, an acre of land in Bbaale goes for between Shs2.5m and Shs3m up from Shs800, 000 three years ago. The high demand has also resulted into land conflicts, some turning bloody.
There is currently a mud rush for land in Kayunga District after government announced plans to exploit oil and gas in the area.
Mr Wilson Mbile Tumushabe, the acting Principal Geologist, Ministry of Energy and mineral resources, said on Friday that: “We have received reports that this area has oil and gas deposits. We don’t take this information lightly and we shall soon embark on exploration stage to find out whether there is oil and if it is there how much it is.”
Mr Tumushabe was speaking during a sensitization workshop for Kayunga District staff on opportunities in oil and gas sector at Kayunga District headquarters.
The official’s pronouncement, perhaps explains why there has been an increase in the number of land buyers in the semi-arid Bbaale County, located north of the district. The area is part of the cattle corridor.
Currently, an acre of land in Bbaale goes for between Shs2.5m and Shs3m up from Shs800, 000 three years ago. The high demand has also resulted into land conflicts, some turning bloody.
Many government officials already own land in the area.
The Kayunga District LC V chairman, Mr Tom Sserwanga, is optimistic that oil discovery in the district would lead to a speedy development of the area.
Mr Tumushabe, advised residents in the district to strategize and get ready to gain from the oil and gas sector by investing in ventures such as transport, agriculture, hotel and tourism.
“The opportunities from oil and gas are many but you cannot benefit if you don’t prepare yourself. This is for all of us,” Mr Tumushabe said.
Mr Ronald Goboola, the head national content unit, ministry of energy and mineral development in the directorate of petroleum asked residents to train in petroleum related fields so that they get jobs in the sector.
