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Article

20 Feb 2018

Author:
Maria Wamala, New Vision (Uganda)

Oil host communities allege unfair compensation by oil companies

"Oil and gas hosting community threatens to sue govt"

The Bagunga community in Buliisa district that hosts the oil and gas processing facility has threatened to sue the Government and the multinational companies over what they called unfair treatment and a raw deal. “We are ready to take legal action both nationally and internationally to get a fair and mutually acceptable deal for the community members on issues of compensation, resettlement and the negative spillover effects,” Bagunga Community Association head Enoch Bigirwa said.

While petitioning the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to intervene in the oil and gas disputes in Buliisa, Bigirwa said oil and gas exploration companies have showed no regard for the indigenous communities. “Prospectors had the audacity to access people’s land and even houses without prior notice, denying them the right to information prior to developments on land,” he said...

Buliisa County MP Stephen Mukitale said the processes regarding oil exploration and now production phase have been shrouded with secrecy. “This has led to speculators with prior knowledge of lucrative sites to grab land so that they can claim hefty fees in future.” Mukitale said, citing Francis Kahwa as one of the culprits.Mukitale said: “After chasing pastoralists from Bulisa, Kahwa appeared. Why is it that all the kilometers where the pipeline is passing are all his? Why is it that all the 48 oil wells in Biliisa are in his land? Why is it that all the Central Processing Facility (CPF) area is in his land? Who is giving him that information? Is he in security, land ministry, oil company or in the ministry of energy?” Mukitale queried, adding that the Government has failed to clear air on the matter.