Residents in Kyankwanzi district attribute repeated Soil erosion on EACOP Construction

Residents of Kaseka Village in Kiryajobyo Parish, Gayaza Sub County Kyankwanzi district are raising concerns over increasing soil erosion, which they say has worsened following the construction activities associated with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Residents say the construction works have altered the natural flow of rainwater leaving some sections of farmland and homesteads vulnerable to soil being washed away during heavy rains.

According to community members, areas that were previously able to absorb and manage rainwater are now experiencing increased runoff. The situation has reportedly created deep channels and gullies in some places, carrying away fertile topsoil and affecting agricultural land.

For many households in Kaseka, farming remains an important source of food and income. Residents say the loss of topsoil is making it increasingly difficult to maintain productive gardens.

Some farmers fear that continued erosion could reduce soil fertility and eventually affect crop yields.

“When the rains come, a lot of soil is carried away. We are worried because this is the soil we depend on for growing our food,” Nakate Jane Rose one of the affected residents said.

Residents are calling for more measures to control water runoff and protect farmland, including the construction and maintenance of proper drainage channels, planting of trees and grass, and restoration of areas affected by construction.

The residents are also asking authorities and those involved in the pipeline project to engage directly with the affected communities and assess the extent of the problem.

They want appropriate environmental protection measures to be implemented before the erosion causes further damage to agricultural land, roads and homes.

Environmental experts generally recommend measures such as terracing, planting vegetation, maintaining drainage systems and stabilising exposed soil as ways of reducing erosion, particularly in areas where construction has disturbed the natural ground surface.

For the people of Kaseka Village, however, the priority is finding practical solutions that can protect their land and livelihoods.

As Uganda continues to develop major infrastructure projects such as EACOP, residents say development should go hand in hand with protection of the environment and the livelihoods of communities living around project areas.

The people of Kaseka are therefore appealing to local leaders, environmental authorities and EACOP stakeholders to investigate their concerns and work with the community to address the soil erosion before the situation becomes more severe.

STORY COMPILED BY OLIVE NYAMAHUNGE