Kampala — MBARARA municipality MP, John Arimpa Kigyagi has said the parliamentary committee on natural resources received copies of the oil production sharing agreements (PSA) signed between the Government and the oil company, Tullow Oil.

However, the MPs are barred by a confidentiality clause not to disclose details to the public, Kigyagi, said.

The agreements, which remain a public secret, have increased suspicions on the Government's motives.

He was speaking yesterday during a half-day dialogue on oil and gas governance at Protea Hotel in Kampala.

The ceremony was organised by the civil society coalition for oil in Uganda, led by the non-governmental organisations' advocates coalition for development and environment (ACODE).

The Government signed five PSAs. However, activists say the agreements favour the oil companies which take the largest percentage.

The energy state minister, Simon D'Ujanga, said the Government is working on a strategy for the oil and gas sector to improve transparency and sharing information with the public.

He said the ministry would complete the process before June this year.

"This will enable information dissemination and sharing regarding the activities being undertaken in the sector," he said.

D'Ujang's speech was read by Honey Malinga, the assistant commissioner for the petroleum exploration and production department of the energy ministry.

Godber Tumushabe, the ACODE executive director, asked the Government to build a partnership with the public on how to manage the oil. He added that oil was increasingly being viewed as a resource for Bunyoro region only.

Tumushabe observed that there was a breakdown of public trust in the Government due to corruption.