US rights organization identifies “atmosphere of intimidation” in Ugandan oil project

Oil activities on the shores of Lake Albert in Uganda are causing significant harm to local residents, including forced displacement and violent abuses, according to a report from Climate Rights International. The report calls for banks and insurers to stop funding a project led by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) involved in constructing a central processing facility. This facility, part of a larger project connected to the development of Uganda’s oil fields and a pipeline to Tanzania, has resulted in locals losing access to their land and facing various atrocities.
Based on interviews with numerous individuals, the report outlines allegations against CNOOC, citing forced evictions, insufficient compensation for land, coercion during land acquisition, loss of livelihood, and instances of sexual violence. The report also accuses Ugandan government troops of being responsible for forced evictions, violence, and instilling fear among the local population.
Brad Adams, the executive director at Climate Rights International, expressed dismay that a project meant to bring prosperity to Uganda has instead led to violence, intimidation, and poverty for its people. He called the Kingfisher project led by CNOOC a “dangerous carbon bomb” and a “human rights disaster.” Despite Uganda’s estimated 1.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves and plans to start production by 2026, concerns about human rights violations, corruption, and stalled progress persist.
While French company TotalEnergies holds a majority stake in Uganda’s oil fields, CNOOC and the Uganda National Oil Company are also involved. Previous efforts by climate watchdogs have focused on TotalEnergies, which faces lawsuits over alleged violations of food and land rights. Opposition to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, a project by TotalEnergies and CNOOC passing through environmentally sensitive areas to the Indian Ocean, has been ongoing. Uganda defends its oil endeavors as a means to alleviate poverty and has criticized external interference in its internal affairs.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has warned of finding alternative partners if TotalEnergies and its associates withdraw from the country. The debate over Uganda’s oil projects continues to highlight the balance between economic development and environmental and human rights concerns.