Power and Peril: Inside Uganda’s Controversial Oil Projects
By Joseph Byaruhanga
October 2023
UGANDA—Nestled in the Albertine Graben, a region rich in biodiversity and home to some of Africa’s most vulnerable communities, Uganda’s oil drilling projects have become a flashpoint for controversy. As the East African nation moves closer to extracting an estimated 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil, the stakes are high—not just for the economy, but for the environment and the people who call this region home.
The Tilenga and Kingfisher oil projects, led by French energy giant TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), promise to transform Uganda into an oil-exporting nation. The government touts the projects as a pathway to economic growth, job creation, and energy independence. But for many locals and environmental activists, the drilling represents a looming disaster—one that could irreparably damage ecosystems, displace communities, and exacerbate social inequalities.
The Promise of Prosperity
Uganda’s oil reserves, discovered in 2006, have long been seen as a potential game-changer for the country’s economy. The government estimates that the oil sector could generate up to $3 billion annually at peak production, with revenues earmarked for infrastructure development, healthcare, and education.
For communities in the Albertine Graben, the promise of jobs and improved living standards has been a major selling point. Thousands of Ugandans have been employed in the construction of oil infrastructure, including pipelines, roads, and drilling sites. Local leaders have also highlighted the potential for improved access to electricity and clean water as a result of the projects.
“This oil will bring development to our region,” said John Bosco, a community leader in Hoima, one of the districts affected by the drilling. “We have been waiting for this for years.”
Environmental Costs
But beneath the surface of this economic optimism lies a growing environmental crisis. The Albertine Graben is part of the Greater Virunga Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. It is home to endangered species like mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and elephants, as well as critical wetlands and forests.
Environmental groups warn that the oil projects threaten this fragile ecosystem. Drilling operations, pipeline construction, and the potential for oil spills could devastate wildlife habitats and pollute water sources. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a 1,443-kilometer pipeline that will transport oil from Uganda to Tanzania’s coast, has drawn particular criticism for cutting through protected areas and displacing communities.
“The environmental risks are enormous,” said Diana Nabiruma, a spokesperson for the Africa Institute for Energy Governance. “We are talking about irreversible damage to ecosystems that are vital not just for Uganda, but for the entire planet.”
Social Displacement and Human Rights Concerns
The human cost of Uganda’s oil ambitions is equally alarming. Over 100,000 people are expected to be displaced by the Tilenga and EACOP projects, according to human rights organizations. Many of these individuals are subsistence farmers who rely on their land for survival.
Compensation for displaced families has been a contentious issue. While the government and oil companies have pledged to provide fair compensation, many locals claim they have been underpaid or forced to accept inadequate settlements. In some cases, families have been evicted from their land without warning, leaving them homeless and without livelihoods.
“They told us the oil would bring development, but all we have seen is suffering,” said Mary Akello, a mother of four who was displaced from her home in Buliisa district. “We have lost our land, our crops, and our way of life.”
Women and marginalized groups have been disproportionately affected by the displacement. Activists report an increase in gender-based violence and economic hardship among women who have lost access to farmland and traditional income sources.
Climate Change Implications
Uganda’s oil projects also raise significant concerns about climate change. The extraction and burning of fossil fuels will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, undermining global efforts to combat climate change. Critics argue that investing in oil infrastructure locks Uganda into a carbon-intensive future at a time when the world is transitioning to renewable energy.
“This is a step in the wrong direction,” said Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan climate activist. “We should be investing in clean energy, not fossil fuels that will harm our planet and our people.”
A Path Forward?
As Uganda moves forward with its oil projects, the debate over their costs and benefits continues to intensify. Environmental and human rights groups are calling for greater transparency, accountability, and investment in sustainable alternatives. They argue that the government and oil companies must prioritize the well-being of communities and the environment over short-term economic gains.
For now, the Albertine Graben remains a region of contrasts—a place where the promise of prosperity clashes with the peril of environmental and social destruction. As Uganda stands on the brink of an oil boom, the choices it makes today will shape the future of its people and its land for generations to come.
This article was produced with contributions from local activists, environmental experts, and community members in the Albertine Graben region.
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