Francis Mugerwa
5 October 2008
Kampala — Food shortage is looming in Hoima District because the population has abandoned agriculture in preference to speculating about oil fortunes.
District Chairman George Bagonza is concerned that many people in the area are reluctant to engage in agriculture, following the discovery of oil in the area.
He said residents have pre- occupied themselves with thinking about how much they will benefit from oil.
"Most residents are demanding a share of the proceeds from oil rather than engaging in commercial agriculture and investing in ventures that will enable them tap benefits related to the emerging oil industry," Mr Bagonza said.
He was addressing residents of Kiziranfumbi Sub- county last week. Commercially viable oil deposits have been discovered on the shores of Lake Albert in the district.
The government and oil firms have devised an early production scheme that will see Uganda start commercial oil production next year.
Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom is spearheading the demand for its people to share profits that will accrue from the commercial oil exploitation.
Mr Bagonza said much as offering shares to Bunyoro is welcome, residents should invest strategically in ventures that will offer them direct benefits from the increased population that is flowing in the district as a result of the oil discovery.
"The demand for food and accommodation, entertainment in areas should be exploited by residents as money opportunities," he said.
Mr Bagonza said residents should exploit the district's agricultural potential and increase their productivity.
Over 80 percent of the district's population is engaged in subsistence agriculture.
Mr Bagonza said many youth are shunning agriculture and instead want jobs in the oil sector, which jobs are limited, very competitive and require skills which many youths lack.
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