The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Bishops and a team from the Provincial Secretariat, have this morning left for a three days field visit to the oil and gas operational areas in the Albertine Graben.
During the field visit, the team will visit the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) in Kiryandongo District , Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA) in Kikuube District, Kabalega Industrial Park, EnviroServ Waste management facility in Hoima District, Tilenga Industrial Area in Buliisa Districtand the .
During the visit the team will also visit Ngiri 3 Well Pad, Industrial Area under construction in Tilenga, resettlement homes and Livelihood Restoration Programs which include improved agriculture initiatives. The team will lead in planting of trees in both KFDA and Tilenga areas as a continuation of the World Environment Day Celebrations.
The visit follows a request by the House of Bishops sitting in May 2022 in Bushaara Island in the Diocese of Kigezi to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa and the Executive Director, Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Mr. Ernest Rubondo to visit the Albertine graben.
According to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, the visit is to equip Bishops as key stakeholders in National development with accurate information on the oil and gas sector to know how to communicate effectively to Christians on the same subject.
Archbishop Kaziimba who is expected to lead prayers at Kingfisher Development Area tomorrow, said that Bishops will use the opportunity to pray for the Country for oil to be a blessing.
“I have seen many countries where the discovery of oil has caused more harm than good. It’s our responsibility as religious leaders to pray for the Country especially the government, workers in the oil sector and our development partners so that oil production helps the Country to develop.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
Before setting off on Wednesday, the Bishops were joined by the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Mr. Ernest Rubondo, the Board Chairperson of the Authority, Ms. Jane Nambakire Mulemwa (PhD) and Staff from the Authority for a briefing session.
