Migrancy, Resource Contestation and Citizenship Claims in Uganda’s Oil Region

Seminar

31 October 2023

15:00 - 17:00

Violet Laidlaw Room (6.02), Chrystal Macmillan Building

Since the 1990s, there has been waves of migration from different areas of Uganda and across borders into Bunyoro region. Migration has aroused suspicion from the natives of the region resulting into persistent conflicts with the “Bafuruki”- migrants”. This chapter argues that due to oil resources, the Albertine region has been at the centre stage of persistent ‘ethnic’ conflicts and resource contestations especially land.

Using oral interviews conducted in 2020 and documentary review, the study notes migrancy as a major trigger to conflicts in the oil region.

Drawing from Lee’s theory of migration regarding pull and push factors, the study points to oil resource as a “pull” to many Ugandans from different areas into Bunyoro which has put pressure on land leading to conflicts since the 1990s.

The chapter suggests the state involvement in the regulation of immigration into the Albertine region and the locals’ involvement in the exploitation of oil resource.

Speaker: Dr Nicholas Tunanukye, Department of History, Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Makarere University, Uganda

Organised by CAS and co-badged by HCA and IASH

When: Tuesday 31st October 2023 (3pm-5pm)

Venue: Violet Laidlaw Room (VLR), 6th Floor, Chrystal Macmillan Building

Format: In person. Please RSVP via Eventbrite