In 2006, Uganda discovered commercially viable oil deposits in the Albertine Graben region. Since then, the government embarked on establishing effective management procedures to promote growth and development for the country [1] But the oil extraction has impacted local residents in a number of ways. 7.000 individuals belonging to communities in Kabale-Buseruka, Hoima District, were in fact evicted to pave way for the construction of an oil refinery. They were offered the choice between compensation and resettlement; while some residents have been compensated and moved to new settlements, some have still not received any compensation. Some of those who opted for compensation rejected the offer after they discovered their properties had been undervalued. People living in Hoima, in fact, report undervaluation of their agriculture and property, payments which do not match agreed compensation rates, and interruption of livelihoods. |
| Name of conflict: | Oil refinery in Hoima district and evictions, Uganda |
| Country: | Uganda |
| Location of conflict: | Hoima |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Fossil Fuels and Climate Justice/Energy |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Oil and gas exploration and extraction Land acquisition conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Crude oil |
| Project details | The successful consortia will have a 60 percent stake in the refinery expected hold an output capacity of 30,000 barrels per day in 2018. The refinery will however have an overall capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, but it will not function to full capacity until 2020. |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 2,500,000,000 |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Affected Population: | 7,000 |
| Start of the conflict: | 01/01/2012 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Sun Africa from Congo, Dem. Rep. |
| Relevant government actors: | Ugandan Government |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Global Rights Alert (GRA), African Energy Institute for Governance (AFIEGO) |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers International ejos Religious groups |
| Forms of mobilization: | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Lawsuits, court cases, judicial activism Official complaint letters and petitions |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Other Environmental impacts, Soil contamination, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Other Health impacts Potential: Health problems related to alcoholism, prostitution |
| Other Health impacts | Lack of food and good nutrition, food insecurity, accidents with wild animals. A report on Gender issues in Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector Release in June 2014 by International Alert Uganda has revealed that the high population attracted to business in the Albertine region is a threat against the fight on HIV/AIDS due to the growing prevalence of sex industry in these communities [2] |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures Potential: Militarization and increased police presence, Specific impacts on women, Violations of human rights |
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Compensation Court decision (undecided) Migration/displacement Strengthening of participation Under negotiation Refusal of compensation |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Affected families are calling for improved transparency, due compensation and resettlement and assurance that oil production will benefit all Ugandans. |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | Compensation and resettlement has been promised but not fulfilled. Benefits from oil extractions do not come to the local communities. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Contributor: | Enanga Observatory: www.enanga.org |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 1579 |