In a new briefing paper...Business & Human Rights Resource Centre...identifies three key trends in companies’ human rights impacts in the region...Executive Director...Phil Bloomer said: “The threat of the infamous ‘Resource Curse’ hangs heavy over East Africa. Something is very wrong when a boom in inward investment...leads to [a] five-fold leap in allegations of company abuse...The good news is that Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania still enjoy vibrant civil society which demands that this investment benefits the many...and that a small group of companies is trying to show how responsible investment can protect and enhance...human rights..." Joseph Kibugu...principal author of the briefing, said: “The burgeoning discovery of natural resources and the growing multinational investment...is a window of opportunity to transform lives...[Bold] action is needed to ensure investments to contribute to alleviation of endemic poverty rather than compromising the dignity of locals.” [refers to AngloGold Ashanti, Japan Tobacco Intl., Philip Morris Intl., Barrick Gold, Johnson & Johnson, Safaricom, Bedford Biofuels, JPMorgan Chase, Sinovatio, Kaweri Coffee (part of Neumann Kaffee Gruppe), Strategic Friends Intl., British American Tobacco, Kenya Commercial Bank, Tanzania Breweries (part of SABMiller), China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), Kenya Pipeline Company, Thomson Safaris (part of Wineland-Thomson Adventures), DAO Group, MTN, Total, East African Mining/East African Gold, Tullow Oil, Eland Coal, Nevsun Resources, Unilever, Fenxi Mining Industry, Oil Palm Uganda (joint venture Bidco Uganda, Wilmar Intl.), Finfisher, Paladin Energy, ZTE, Gamma Group, PetroChina]