A Legal Analysis on the Role of the Uganda Police Force in Protecting Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

Abstract

The discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities in Uganda has given the nation a hope that a great deal of the prevailing depressive economic hardships would be greatly mitigated. This can only materialize when the wealth from the natural resources such as oil and gas is well managed and also when and security is put in check in order to promote a well sustained economic development. The objective of the study was, to analyze the existing legal regime with respect to the role of Uganda Police in the petroleum industry in Uganda, to examine how the existing Legal regimes in respect to Petroleum sector in Uganda conforms to the international best practice and to make recommendations on existing legal regimes of petroleum sector in Uganda. To achieve this objective the study was a mixed method approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. The quantitative instruments were use of questionnaires. The qualitative instruments were interview guides and document analysis. The study area included the Albertine region. The police headquarters were also used to get documentation and interview of senior police officers. The sample was collected to include police officers, community leaders, ministry of energy officials and the local population. The data collected from all sources were triangulated. This data together with lessons from other jurisdictions was used to make recommendations to the existing legal framework so as to improve the security position in the petroleum sector in Uganda.