Representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) working within Uganda's extractive industries including oil, gas, and mining have issued a statement expressing their concerns and demands. The declaration, issued in Kampala and spearheaded by Ronald Musoke, highlights the multiple challenges that need to be addressed to ensure sustainability and transparency in the sector.
1. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) within Uganda's extractive industries have issued a statement outlining their concerns and demands for the sector.
2. The statement calls for improvement in transparency and accountability in the operation of Uganda's extractive industries, including oil, gas, and mining.
3. CSOs have emphasized the need for strengthening laws and regulations to ensure ethical practices, and minimize tax evasion and disguised profits.
4. CSOs have advocated for prioritizing local content within the sector.
5. They believe these measures are important to ensure the ethical and sustainable exploitation of Uganda's natural resources for the benefit of the nation.
According to Freedom House, in 2020, only about 35% of civil society organizations in Uganda believed the government was effective in managing the country's extractive industries.
The civil society organisations, or CSOs, who have a vested interest in Uganda's prospering extractives sector, namely oil, gas and mining, have voiced their concerns and desires clearly. The representatives of these groups have made a direct plea to the government, seeking an improvement in transparency and accountability in the operation of Uganda's extractives industries. They call for the strengthening of laws and regulations to ensure proper and ethical practices are followed, and tax revenues are maximized. Not only are they urging officials to clamp down on tax evasion and disguised profits, but they also advocate for prioritizing local content in the sector. They believe these measures are crucial to ensure Uganda's natural resources are exploited sustainably and ethically, for the nation's wealth and benefit.