The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba-Mugalu, has appreciated the government for the ongoing development of the oil and gas projects in the Bunyoro sub-region.

The Archbishop made the remarks last evening during a visit to the Kingfisher Oilfield in Buhuka Kyangwali Sub-county Kikuube District and Kabalega International Airport in Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District.

He led a team of other members of the House of Bishops of the Province of the Church of Uganda who held a retreat in Hoima City. The Archbishop noted that the oil and gas projects will significantly change many lives in Bunyoro and Uganda as a whole. 

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr Samuel Stephen Kaziimba-Mugalu, says Ugandans should rejoice and appreciate God for the oil and gas project developments, including the construction of Uganda’s second International Airport and Oil drilling at the Kingfisher Development area, in the Albertine Graben. 

He noted that the oil and gas projects have led to a significant transformation of the Bunyoro sub-region including the construction of good roads, the international airport and hotels. The top cleric appealed to the people to use these facilities to develop themselves.

Archbishop Dr Kaziimba appealed to the government to allocate more money to the ongoing oil and gas projects and also ensure that Ugandans are employed in these projects. 

The Archbishop then dedicated the airport and other works being undertaken in the area to God with a prayer as he was joined by the other Anglican bishops. 

Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) noted that the Government had come up with a number of frameworks such as the National Oil and Gas Policy which shall be vigorously implemented to ensure that Ugandans benefit from oil and gas.

Rubondo gave assurance that Uganda has put in place a robust framework to curb corruption, especially in the oil and gas sector and urged religious leaders to help in fighting the vice.

Zakaliya Lubega, the Head of Corporate Affairs at oil company CNOOC Uganda Limited, said that the Company strictly follows International guidelines in mitigating Noise Pollution in their area of operation while drilling oil.

Amos Muriisa, the Spokesperson of SBC Uganda, the firm constructing Kabalega International Airport, says the airport was strategically built in the middle of all the oil and gas projects for easy and equal access.

Uganda is expected to have the first commercial Oil by August 2025.