Alur leaders happy with oil, gas projects

Alur Kingdom cultural leaders have concluded a familiarisation tour of oil and gas project operations in the Lake Albert Basin, noting that the developments are on course.

The tour organised by the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) for Alur Kingdom as a key cultural stakeholder, took place from December 6-8, 2024, in both Tilenga and Kingfisher petroleum development areas.

Kingdom spokesperson David Rupiny said the tour was aimed at bringing the cultural leaders up to speed with the progress of the projects.

“It cascaded to the Alur people, who form one of the biggest ethnic groups in the Lake Albert Basin,” Rupiny said.

Alur deputy prime minister and executive director Vincent Ochaya led the delegation, which included five chiefs from Jonam in Pakwach district and two chiefs from Padyere in Nebbi district, as well as the kingdom’s cabinet ministers and other officials.

The chiefs are: Rwoth Jephtar Oromcan Kerunega of Padwot chiefdom and speaker; Alur council of chiefs: Opar Angiya Justineof Pawong, Okwong Kasiano of Pangieth, Ayikanying Alex of Alwi Puyang, Onencan Sydney of Pacego, Owachgiu Peter Athinda of Boro and Oucha Isaac of Puvungu chiefdom.

The Tilenga and Kingfisher petroleum areas.

According to Ochaya, the tour also underscored the unity between the Alur and Jonam people as seven chiefs from both ethnic groups were in one accord.

The tour also enabled them to confirm several things like the readiness of oil production pads, storage of drilled crude oil, payment of royalties after commercial revenue starts flowing, the contribution oil and gas will make to Uganda’s economic development and progress on construction of Kabalega International Airport, amongst others.

“From what we saw and experienced, the oil and gas sector in Uganda is looking good and a possible game changer in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda,” Ochaya said.

He implored the Government to consider the development of infrastructure like oil roads and other facilities in the Alur Kingdom side of the Albertine region.

The Alur are a Nilotic ethnic group who live in northwestern Uganda and the northeastern DR Congo. They are part of the larger Luo group.

In Uganda, they live mainly in the districts of Nebbi, Zombo, Pakwach and Arua, while in DR Congo, they reside in the territory of Mahagi in the Ituri Province mostly north of Lake Albert.

According to the 2024 census report, the Alur population has increased by 1,371,000 and approximately eight million Alur live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The current Rwoth(King) of the Alur Kingdom is Ubimu Phillip Rauni Olarker III.