Kisumu
  28/08/07
 
UGANDA STRIKES IT RICH BUT MILITIA FORCES ARE THREATENING OIL WELLS AROUND LAKE ALBERT.

By Leo Odera Omolo.

Uganda is definitely on the way to riches. With the discovery of yet another oil well, the country is moving on the right direction to become one of the wealthiest states in the middle of the poverty stricken African continent.

The new discovery, expected to produce upto 30,000 barrels of oil per day, now takes the total number of oil wells so far drilled by Tullow Oil and Heritage oil company to seven. More discoveries are likely to follow soon, as an additional two wells are expected to be drilled before the end of this year.

Although the eventual income is bound to attract long fingered fellows, the locals are imagining what this discovery of a lucrative source of wealth would do to the country. Not only might they see a radical change to the lousy roads, but also the poor infrastructure and probably an abrupt end to persistent perennial dependence on donor aid.

Even more important is that the oil revenue will spread and even benefit the entire East African Community region. This could probably change the Tanzanians attitude towards a political federation of East Africa.

An overwhelming 76 per cent of Tanzanians objected to the fast – tracking of the federation due to doubts about land, employment, security, ethnic struggles, corruption and other natural resources. In other words, they don’t want one federal president and one parliament by the year 2013.

Perhaps the distant scent of an economic boom might convince Tanzanians to change stances. While they were cagey about fast-tracking the East African Federation, these Tanzanians agreed to one common market, and a monetary union by 2012.

The common market would allow free circulation of goods and movement of people with a common passport within the five countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. However, while Ugandans and Kenyans will be able to visit Tanzania, forget about taking up legal rights there.

But the latest discovery of oil deposits around Lake Albert in Western Uganda is the major sources of tension and military threat of war between that country and her vast neighbour to the west.

In 1998 and 2001 the world regarded Uganda as an aggressor when it deployed troops in Eastern Congo. But the recent attack on the oil barge near Rukwanzi island now makes Uganda a victim of high provocation.

However, the media in Kinshasa suggested that Uganda was invading the Congolese territory to steal its mineral wealth.

“It must be taken into consideration that there are many armed elements stationed in the Eastern Congo without any state”, remarked a Congolese Minister Chukez Diemu in a recent interview with a Ugandan weekly soon after the attack on the oil barge. Therein lies the dilemma for UPDF on one hand and DRC government on the other. The pertinent question is, “Who controls the region?”

But the speed at which DRC government responded to the incident suggests that they prefer a peaceful settlement of disputes, though the situation on the ground is rather fluid and volatile.

During the recent meeting of Defense Forces, Lt. General Dieudonne Kayembe of the DRC, even hinted at how the situation was “very bad and soldiers who started it all will be brought to book”.

It is true that leaders of both countries don’t want war. But that may not be the case with rank and file, especially on the Congolese side where they are not in control of the central authority. The trouble is how to control soldiers on patrol over the lake and other border areas from over 1,000 miles away in Kinshasa. Rogue or over enthusiastic field commanders can provoke a war. And if it happens, it will not be the first time in history!!.

Ends.
leooderaomolo@yahoo.com