Oil Extraction and the Potential for Domestic Instability in Uganda


Publisher: African Studies Quarterly

Author(s): Jacob Kathman & Megan Shannon

Date: 2011

Topics: Conflict Causes, Extractive Resources, Governance

Countries: Uganda

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The exportation of oil offers tremendous opportunities for Uganda. It also poses several risks to Uganda’s domestic security. Drawing on field research in Uganda, as well as archival research, this paper identifies three potential sources of domestic instability stemming from oil exportation: increased urbanization, unpredictability in tax revenue collection, and the formation of rebel groups. The paper concludes that government transparency is crucial in avoiding most of the pitfalls associated with oil extraction and makes several recommendations for improving transparency in Uganda.