Uganda’s Bobi Wine Says He Will Review Oil Deals if Elected President

Uganda’s main opposition presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, has said he will review the country’s oil agreements with foreign companies if elected in next week’s general election, his campaign team said on Tuesday.

Speaking in Kampala, Kyagulanyi said any contract that does not benefit Ugandans will be subject to revision, signalling potential changes in the management of the East African nation’s emerging petroleum sector.

Uganda expects to begin commercial crude oil production later this year as output ramps up from fields developed by international firms operating under production-sharing agreements. Companies involved include France’s TotalEnergies, China’s CNOOC and the state-owned Uganda National Oil Company.

Wine, a former pop star turned politician, has twice challenged incumbent President Yoweri Museveni at the ballot box. He highlighted concerns that existing oil contracts have not delivered sufficient value to local communities and argued that a new approach could boost economic gains for Ugandans.

Requests for comment from the Ugandan government and the international oil firms named by Kyagulanyi were not immediately returned.

Wine has been a vocal critic of the long-standing administration, alleging harassment by security forces during the campaign, including reports of arrests of his supporters and restrictions on his movement. The ruling party has maintained that all arrests have been lawful and related to security concerns.

SOURCE: Reuters