Two research reports on oil exploration in the country released today highlighting major risks of oil projects led by French energy giant Total in Uganda and Tanzania indicate that at least 12,000 families have lost land and endanger sensitive and vital ecosystems.
The reports titled ‘Empty Promises down the Line?’ researched by Oxfam and ‘New Oil, Same Business?’ researched by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) question the way oil companies are executing business in the Albertine region.
But the persils of oil, particularly in the context of a climate crisis, overshadows many of its promises. The industry has been rocked by major corruption and environmental scandals over the past decade, including in oil rich Nigeria. Divestment and structural risks, along with the coronavirus pandemic, have dragged oil prices to unprecedented lows in 2020.
Sheila Muwanga, the FIDH Vice President says both reports offer community driven recommendations of urging oil companies and governments who are on the verge of making their final investment decision for the pipeline constriction that starts in March 2021, to undertake measures that avoids a human and environmental disasters.
FHRI Executive Director Livingston Sewanyana while launching both the reports at the foundation headquarters in Nsambya urged both government and companies to consider the voices of the communities and the findings when implementing oil development in the Albertine region.
However, Harrison Asaba one of the community member in Buliisa district accuses Total Oil company for not compensating several homesteads that were not in the range of 300 meters from the wells but instead forcing them to vacate their lands.
“Despite promises about jobs and a better future, communities are worried about lost land, a damaged environment, and the empty promises of oil money,” Said Caroline Brodeur, private sector advisor for Oxfam. She adds that the risks posed by further oil exploitation in East Africa are immense and urges companies and governments to review these newly released findings, which reflect fears, hopes and recommendations of communities around lake Albert oil projects and down the line and commit to a different path forward.
