Managing Oil in Uganda

The technical challenges of extracting Uganda's waxy, on-shore oil has prevented production so far and means that full capacity will probably not be reached until 2020.  In the meantime, the debate is underway over the management of Uganda's oil in an effort to avoid the "resource curse."

Writing for Chatham House, Ben Shepard, independent consultant and associate fellow at Chatham House, produced in February 2013 a report titled "Oil in Uganda: International Lessons for Success."  He concluded that the "resource curse" is not inevitable and Uganda has time to get it right.  But the debate must move beyond the politics of the present and look to the long-term.  Oil will be central to Uganda for decades to come.  He argues that Uganda's leaders, opposition and civil society alike must "work together to ensure a bright future for generations to come."