The planned early production of oil in Uganda has stimulated economic activities in Hoima as locals prepare to grab the oil windfalls. Specifically, over 200 jobs will be created during construction of the oil refinery with 100 of them reserved for Ugandans.
Tullow Oil, the firm expolring for oil and gas in the Albertine Graben, intends to start producing between 4,000 and 5,000 barrels of oil (bpd) per day.
The scheme includes a mini-kerosene and heavy-fuel oil for local consumption. Tullow will also set up a between 50 and 85 megawatts of heavy-fuel thermal plant, a transmission line from Mputa to fort-portal and Nkenda and a distribution power network from Kaiso- Tonya to Hoima.
A survey in Hoima found that hotels, restaurants and recreation grounds had sprung up due to increase demand for accommodation. An employee especially expatriates. These hotels and lodges are occupied at full capacity daily and there is good revenue for the owners,”
About 200 kilometres of two highway roads, which will be tarmacked, have been opened, linking the remote Kaiso-Tonya to the world. The fresh fish at Lake Albert and other agrarian products, which had limited market, are on high demand now. Three airstrips including a helicopter landing pad and army barracks have already been constructed on the shores of lake Albert as the country prepares to join the oil-producing club.
Tullow intends to invest $250 million, which will bring the total amount invested since exploration activities started two years ago to $500 million.