By Aggrey Baba
Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and presidential candidate has pledged to rewrite the story of Bunyoro’s oil, saying people from the region will no longer remain spectators as others enjoy the fruits of their land.
Speaking during his campaign trail in Kibaale District at the start of his week-long ongoing tour of the Bunyoro sub-region, Kyagulanyi said his government (New Uganda) would allocate a bigger portion of oil returns to the local communities, noting that for too long, Bunyoro has carried the weight of wealth it never tasted.
He explained that under the current system, the share of oil royalties to be extended to local governments and cultural institutions (1%) is too small to make any real difference. His proposal, he said, would ensure that more money remains within Bunyoro to support schools, hospitals, and community projects directly benefiting residents.
Kyagulanyi further emphasized that if elected, his government would prioritize residents of oil-producing districts such as Hoima, Kikuube, and Kibaale for jobs and contracts in the oil and gas sector, saying it’s unfair for outsiders to dominate employment and supply opportunities while locals watch from the sidelines.
The NUP leader also blamed the Museveni/ NRM government for the ongoing land disputes in the Albertine region, arguing that powerful individuals and investors have taken advantage of the poor to grab land ahead of oil production, a problem, he said has left many families dispossessed, despite government assurances of fairness and compensation.
Kyagulanyi said oil should be a blessing, not a curse, and that the Banyoro deserve to see tangible results from the resources found in their backyard.
He added that only a government built on honesty and accountability could manage oil revenue in a way that uplifts citizens rather than enriches a few individuals.
He urged the people of Bunyoro to turn out in large numbers in the forthcoming general election, saying the ballot was their most powerful tool for change. He stressed that leadership built on truth and justice would ensure that every Ugandan, regardless of region, shares in the nation’s wealth.
Kyagulanyi’s visit drew large crowds across Kibaale and Kagadi districts, with locals turning up in excitement to hear his message of economic fairness and inclusion.
His speeches centered on resource equity, land protection, and youth employment, painting a picture of a future where oil wealth fuels development rather than division. Kyagulanyi’s campaign in Bunyoro comes as Uganda edges closer to its first oil production, projected for 2026.
With billions of dollars at stake, Kyagulanyi said it is time to ensure that the oil does not become another story of promises and pain, but rather a new chapter of dignity and opportunity for the Banyoro. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
