By Edward Byamukama
The government of Uganda through the Uganda National Oil Company has embarked on the seismic data acquisition activities as part of oil exploration for the Kasuruban Contract Area-KSCA which covers Hoima, Buliisa and Masindi districts.
Uganda National Oil Company on February 2, 2023, signed a production sharing agreement-PSA where the government granted it the exploration license under the Peteroleumact, 2013.
Robert Mukondo the social development specialist for UNOC says that as part of the exploration activity, UNOC contracted the services of Oriental Geophysical Company limited also known as Bureau of Geophysical Prospecting-BGP from China to undertake the 2D Seismic data acquisition for the Kasuruban Contract area.
While speaking to Hoima district leadership on Monday, Mukondo said that UNOC is introducing the contractor to different stakeholders and holding community engagements as they prepare to start the data acquisition activities.
The data collection exercise will be carried out from Kibiro-Lunga to Waki, Butiaba up to Kigwera along the Albertine graben.
He said during the process, the contractor will use a technology of explosives which will be carried out with minimal noise and contact to the community.
He said the data acquisition will be carried out in respect to the Environment Social Impact Assessment-ESIA report which was submitted to National Environment Management Authority in Mid June 2025.
 The exploration manager at UNOC Ronald Kagwa said the exercise will have limited damage to the environment and people’s property since there will be no heavy works. He said UNOC and the contractor will work with the affected communities.
The Hoima Chief Administrative Officer Emmanuel Ssempala urged UNOC and the contractor to respect local content by ensuring that local people in Hoima and other affected communities.
He said local leaders and affected communities should be engaged and involved at all stages of the data acquisition process.
Joselyn Nyangoma the Hoima District Natural Resources Officer called for protection of the biodiversity in Hoima and other areas on the rift valley stretch more especially lake Albert which is a great source of livelihood to the local fishing communities.
She also called for restoration of the environment by the contractor as one of the conditions sited in the Environmental Social Impact Assessment.
Kasuruban block spans 1,285 square kilometers and is the biggest of the five blocks ministry of energy and mineral development announced in the second licensing round in May 2019.
