From Policy to Practice: Evaluating Governance Wellbeing Nexus of Oil and Gas Policy Implementation in Uganda’s Albertine Graben

Abstract

The discovery of commercially viable oil and gas in Uganda’s Albertine Graben in 2006 raised expectations for socio-economic transformation in the host districts of Buliisa, Hoima, and Kikuube. In response, the Government of Uganda established an extensive policy and legal framework to regulate exploration, production, environmental protection, and petroleum revenue management. However, the extent to which these frameworks have translated into improved human wellbeing for host communities remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine how Uganda’s oil and gas governance arrangements have influenced human well-being outcomes in the three districts. A qualitative research design, guided by an interpretivist paradigm, was employed to explore lived experiences and institutional dynamics. Data were collected from 150 participants through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and documentary reviews involving community members, district officials, civil society organisations, and technical staff from regulatory bodies and oil and gas companies. The results indicate that although Uganda has established strong statutory and policy provisions, their implementation has yielded limited well-being gains. Communities reported restricted access to employment and training opportunities due to affordability constraints, distance to training centres, and inadequate information flow. Environmental and public health concerns persisted, including water contamination, occupational risks, and inadequate health facility capacity. Social safeguards such as valuation transparency, compensation timeliness, livelihood restoration, and grievance handling were inconsistently implemented. Petroleum revenue management systems existed, but host communities had not yet received direct fiscal benefits because production royalties had not commenced. The study concludes that Uganda’s governance framework is robust in design but suffers from implementation gaps. Strengthening institutional capacity, improving transparency, and ensuring the timely delivery of safeguards are critical for enhancing human wellbeing in oil and gas-host communities.