Legislative oversight
Training Ugandan MPs about oil and gas industry legislation
The background
Training from experts at the University of Essex has given a group of Ugandan MPs the skills they need to draft legislation on Uganda’s fl edging oil and gas industry. International business and human rights experts at the University tailor-made a Legislative Oversight of the Extractive Industries training programme for the Ugandans to help them identify social, environmental and economic problems related to the extractive industries.
The issue
Uganda has recently discovered oil and gas wealth, which has created a need for effective and transparent oversight by the Ugandan government and its development partners. An overview of the implications of extractive industries policies is now pivotal to the Ugandan parliament’s creation of a successful and sustainable economy based on the natural riches of the country.
"Our partners from the Westminster Foundation and friends from the University of Essex have done their part in equipping us with skills on what to look for in the upcoming petroleum related Bills. It is now up to us to utilize these tools to make good laws for the benefit of Ugandans."
Hon. Michael Kafabusa Werikhe, Chair Committee on National Resources, Ugandan Parliament
The solution
Funded by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, three days of intensive training with experts from the University’s Essex Business and Human Rights Project (EBHR) gave the Ugandans unique insights into the underlying impact of governmental regulations on the oil and gas industries. Legislative areas covered ranged from environmental concerns through to the basic rights of local populations. The MPs also were shown the principles governing international investment and corporate social responsibility – both of central importance in this area - and trained to include key clauses in contracts between states and corporations, and investment treaties, reflecting the impact of international human rights and environmental law on both.
The benefits
The Legislative Oversight of the Extractive Industries training programme helped the Ugandans both theoretically and practically. Those taking part learnt how vital the intersection between human rights, environmental guarantees and the petroleum industry is for Uganda’s local, regional and national communities. The MPs came away with an improved understanding of how to endorse or alter proposed legislation, and how to integrate these key issues into their roles as parliamentarians. The greatest potential benefit for the MPs were some suggestions given to them by the business and human rights experts on detailed amendments for two key oil and gas statutes.
Who to contact
For information about how working with the University of Essex can help your business or organisation, contact:
T 01206 872925
E partners@essex.ac.uk
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