Petroleum exploration in Uganda a review of the legal, regulatory and policy frame work

This study examines the legal framework governing petroleum exploration in Uganda in comparison with the one in the United Republic of Tanzania. It analyses how far government Ministries, Departments and Agencies both in Uganda and Tanzania have been enforcing laws and regulations that govern exploration of petroleum resources. In Uganda, this study was undertaken in the Albertine Graben where petroleum exploration is being carried out and in the United Republic of Tanzania, in the Western arm of the rift valley. Examples have also been drawn from various other petroleum producing countries around the world. The study found that the legal frameworks governing petroleum exploration both in Uganda and in Tanzania are inadequate to govern the petroleum activities in these countries and it also highlights on the effects of such inadequacy. The enforcement of the existing laws is also highly wanting. Accordingly, the study finds that it is necessary to upgrade the laws if both countries are to benefit from petroleum activities in their jurisdictions. It is also recommended that all the laws relating to this capacity of the institutions concerned with various aspects of petroleum exploration be enhanced as needed and that the capacity of the institutions concerned with various aspects of petroleum exploration be enhanced to ensure enforcement of the laws.