By Jemosop Faith, Faith specializes in energy, climate, and renewables, transforming complex policy discussions into accessible, everyday conversations, she is a writer at Africa Digest News backed by 2+ years of focused experience
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has ignited a crucial debate about resource sovereignty in Africa, firmly rejecting the pressure to export Uganda’s crude oil without refining it domestically.
His stance, articulated in a recent address, highlights the ongoing struggle against what he terms the “war of wanting to keep Africa as a raw material producing continent.”
Museveni’s narrative is compelling. He recounts his frustration with international oil companies who insisted on building a pipeline for crude oil export, rather than supporting the development of a local refinery. “They told me that oil refineries don’t make money,” he states, a claim he found deeply suspicious. “So then I said but if they don’t make money those who run them why do they run them?”
His visit to Iran, a nation with nine oil refineries, further solidified his conviction. The stark contrast between Iran’s industrial capacity and the oil companies’ reluctance to allow Uganda even a single refinery underscored the perceived hypocrisy.
Museveni’s rhetorical question, “Are they Mother Teresa?” encapsulates the skepticism many African leaders feel towards external actors who appear to prioritize their own economic interests.
The president’s decision is not merely about economic gain; it’s a strategic move to ensure Uganda benefits fully from its natural resources. By refining oil domestically, Uganda aims to create jobs, stimulate local industries, and reduce its dependence on imported petroleum products. This move signals a shift towards value addition, a crucial step in breaking free from the traditional model of exporting raw materials and importing finished goods.
The proposed pipeline, which will traverse Tanzania, is also strategically significant. Museveni emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation, highlighting that the pipeline will allow Tanzania to “get some also some share in our resource which is theirs also.” This approach fosters stronger ties between neighboring nations and promotes shared prosperity.
Museveni’s comments shed light on the broader issue of economic neo-colonialism. He argues that powerful lobbies seek to maintain Africa as a source of raw materials, hindering its industrial development. This struggle, he asserts, is a “very big one.”
While the battle for resource control is ongoing, Uganda has made progress in other sectors. Museveni points to advancements in textiles, dairy products, fish processing, sugar production, and other industries. These successes demonstrate the potential for African nations to diversify their economies and move beyond raw material extraction.
