Oil: A subject that always seems to be accompanied with both positive and negative attention. With the new discovery of what has been the biggest on-shore oil finds in Uganda for decades, a battle between finding a balance has played out. A discovery of this kind should be exciting, but it gets complicated when the oil is found beneath Murchison Falls National Park. This is no ordinary park either, it happens to be one of Uganda's biggest tourism draws as it is home to many elephants, giraffes, lions and rare birds.

Tullow Oil, the company on the scene, has found oil reserves that is estimated at 2 billion barrels, offering 150,000 per day. This company is one of the world's largest with a $16.5 billion market capitalization and a great deal of recent successes in the continent. It is expected for commercial production to start next year.

On one hand, this is seen as a break for this east African nation's economy. The hopes are to veer away from foreign reliance and change tactics that would take the nation's tourism industry down a notch.

On the other hand, tourism will be affected greatly as park lands are interrupted by the drilling, creating less revenue from the industry. In addition, the area's wildlife will be compromised. Jacqueline Weaver, a University of Houston law professor specializing in oil industry laws and contracts is quoted by the Wall Street Journal as stating, "The (Ugandan) government is uninterested in preserving the Wildlife," - "Money will win over animals every time." Aryamanya Mugisha, the environmental regulator for the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) has reported that Tullow does not make a priority to submit plans on time but has rather pressed the authority to rush approval. This rush has led to lapses which in return has not ensured proper disposal of waste water and other polluting articles caused by the drilling. Many locals, livestock and wild animals will be affected by this as close by bodies of water can be polluted.

Tullow has established an environmental-management department and has assessed the environmental impact. The aim will be to restore grasslands at the drilling sites.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2010.