relationship between oil exploration activities and land conflicts in hoima district, uganda: a case study of buseruka sub-county.

Description

The study focused on the relationship between oil exploration activities and land conflicts in Buseruka Sub-county. The study objectively sought to; examine the extent to which seismic survey activities contribute to land conflicts in Buseruka Sub-county in Hoima district; to assess how exploratory well drilling activities contribute to land conflicts in Buseruka Sub-county in Hoima district; and, to find out how building of roads contribute to land conflicts in Buseruka Sub-county in Hoima district. The study employed descriptive and Correlational research design. A sample of 158 respondents was selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Both quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (interviewing) data collection approaches were used. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and MS Excel software package to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study were that a strong positive relationship (r=.703**, p<0.01) existed between seismic survey activities and land conflicts, (r=.603**, p<0.01) between exploratory well drilling activities and land conflicts, (r=.503**, p<0.01) between building of roads and land conflicts. Respondents never appreciated the role played by the government in combating land conflicts or remained predominantly negative. In conclusion oil exploration activities had negative effects on the people of Buseruka sub-County to a large extent, therefore the researcher calls upon the oil exploration companies, government and the indigenous people who remain incompatible in goals to foster a sustainable peace building mechanism in oil exploration. The study recommends that oil exploration companies should collaborate with the government, community and develop a comprehensive monitoring system and the urgent need for understanding conflict management methods like early warning mechanisms by the government officials, local leaders and oil exploration staff who are at the centre of conflicts.