Thursday, August 15th, 2024 | By
The discovery of oil in Uganda, especially that of commercially viable deposits, came with need to establish infrastructure for the exportation and refining of the oil. The infrastructures include the oil refinery, the feeder pipelines, purified oil pipelines to Buloba, the EACOP and the oil road. All these infrastructures require land.
In the quest for land for these oil infrastructures, government of Uganda together with their partners, the oil companies embarked on the search for land. The process of land acquisition came with displacement of people since these developments are done land.
The process of relocation and compensation has come with several challenges that include; delayed compensation, forced relocation, inadequate financial literacy for the PAPs before compensation and undervaluation of people’s property
These issues have manifested themselves in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi where the East African Crude pipeline and multipurpose pipeline pass.
“We were not sensitized when issue of compensation came up. People were just bumped into and we made decisions out of fear and ignorance”, narrated Mr. Leo Sebuwufu of Lwanda in Kibiga sub county Kiboga district where the multipurpose pine line passes.
“People’s land was surveyed and locals were stopped from using their land in 2017. People fear to cultivate on their land and yet their money isn’t being paid. It should be also remembered that the value of land then was different from what it is today but people aren’t paid and no one knows when they will have paid,” explained Mr. Asuman Ssembatya, the parish chairperson for Nabulembeko Parish in Watubba sub county in Kyankwanzi District.
The concerns were raised during an engagement meeting on August 8, 2024, organized by the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE) under sustainability school Programme.The meeting, that took place in Kiboga town, comprised of selected district council representatives, local leaders and project affected persons to discuss the compensation issues.
Ms. Sarah Nankya, the chairperson for Kyankwanzi District land board expressed willingness to work with stakeholders to ensure justice for all affected persons. Ms. Nankya however expressed disappointment with how those concerned with compensation, Strategic Friends International, conduct their issues. She said these officials are not easily accessible and never reach out to officials at the district.
“We shall work with these affected people to ensure all are compensated. Our challenge in that the agencies charged with compensation issues never reach out to us,” explained Ms. Nankya.
The facilitator of the meeting, Dr. Adolf Mbaine from Makerere University implored the community members to always be asserts on matters regarding their rights.
“The only way your issues can be heard and be acted upon by those in authority is by you speaking out loudly”, he told the meeting.
Frank Muramuzi, the NAPE Executive Director implored community members to be assertive in matters regarding their rights, especially the right to our property and in this case land.
“Always be ready to speak out on matters of your rights. The community Green Radio is a platform to advocate for your rights. And for you in public offices, always listen to the cries of the people,” explained Mr. Muramuzi.
The NAPE Board chairperson, Prof. Ephraim Lemi Nuwagaba pledged NAPE’s continued support to provide a platform for communities to express themselves.
“The only way those in authority will understand your issues, is by you speaking out. Let your voices be heard. Our pledge to you in that we shall continue providing a platform for you to express yourselves,” said Prof. Nuwagaba.
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