Security in Hoima City has this morning besieged more than 200 protestors who were in a move to march to the office of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) and that of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) both located in Hoima City of mid-western Uganda.
The Field Force Unit (FFU) of the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and soldiers of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) swung into action taking control of the movement of the people who travelled in eight taxis and on three buses to Hoima city.
Mr Christopher Opio, the Coordinator for the Oil Refinery Residents Association (ORRA), said that they had mobilised 300 persons affected by the oil projects from Buliisa, Hoima and Kikuube districts.
He told Mr Badru Mugabi, the Hoima Resident City Commissioner (RCC) that they aimed to peacefully deliver their petition to PAU and EACOP offices and return to their respective homes waiting for feedback.
Their petition dated today (Monday), August 26, 2024, with the subject ‘Urgent Appeal against the Continued Violations of Human and Environmental Rights by the EACOP Project, for an End to EACOP and Justice for all Impacted Persons’ carried issues ranging from environmental, cultural, social to human rights issues linked majorly to the EACOP project.
The requesters demand that the EACOP project should be suspended and the government and oil companies to address all cases of alleged intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders alongside protection of fragile ecosystems.
They also called upon the government to invest in renewable energy and protect environment defenders.
Addressing the protesters, Mr Mugabi, the Hoima RCC, warned them against what he described as being misguided by some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) purportedly looking for numbers to lobby for funding.
He said security had disrupted the march because it was out of the law and could potentially disrupt business in the city.
Mr Mugabi insisted that demonstrating is not the way to legally address issues even if they are true.
“Demonstrations and attracting the attention of the public can’t solve our issues,” the RCC said.
Without any scuffle with security officers, five leaders of the askers including Mr Opio and Ms Rachael Tugume were led out of the rest and escorted to deliver their petitions to the EACOP and PAU offices – just about 700 metres away from the blockaded point.
Mr Amlan Tumusiime, the Kikuube Resident District commissioner (RDC), said that if it was undervaluation, then the petitioners would better use the right channels to get revaluation than moving to the streets.
“Use our offices and that is why we are here as RDCs. Do not accept to be used by some NGOs as the RCC has said. They gain a lot from you and your problems are left unsolved,” he said.
However, Mr Opio dismissed claims that they were being influenced by some NGOs, arguing that the affected communities can speak for themselves and that is why they had travelled.
“There are many issues in the community and we live with them,” he said.
The protesters were addressed by the security inside Kitara Secondary School main hall before they were set free and advised to board their vehicles and quit Hoima city under security surveillance.
Recently, the PAU Executive Director, Mr Ernest Rubondo, warned leaders in Bunyoro to stay watchful saying there is a group of people that has decided to come to this area talking ill about the oil sector, well knowing that they are telling lies.
Background
A similar group of oil projects affected persons protested on April 15, 2024, against continuous adjournment of their case which had dragged on for a decade in court.
They were also joined by persons aggrieved over compensation for their properties acquired to pave the way for the TotalEnergies’ operated Tilenga project.
Oil sector players have been denying claims of environmental and human rights violations saying they operate within the law.
Compensation figures
Official statistics from EACOP show that 97% of the project affected persons have signed the compensation agreements while 76% have been fully compensated.
It also says more than 36% of those yet to be compensated is due to internal land disputes and succession issues especially in Buganda.
Figures from the Tilenga project indicate that they had fully compensated 99% of the project affected persons.
On December 8, 2023, the High Court in Hoima passed a verdict against 42 families affected by the Tilenga project ordering their money to be deposited in court for the project to continue. It added on the number of those who rejected the compensation money for being meager or had property disputes.
It was a historically quick judgement presided over by His Lordship Justice Jessy Byaruhanga.
Court green-lighted the oil project to continue without any disruption meaning the PAPs were to vacate whether they accepted to pick the money from court or appealed against the ruling.
Some rejected the compensation package claiming it was little while others had internal family land disputes.
But human rights defenders say be it one person remaining, justice must prevail.
