TASHA Research Institute Africa says it will intensify research in relation to environmental and human rights protection in Uganda’s extractive sector with focus on oil in the Albertine region.
Mr Maxwell Atuhuura, the organisation’s Chief Executive Director, says TASHA identified the need to conduct studies on the state of human and environmental rights especially in this era the two areas stand threatened by rapid developments and population growth by birth and immigration.
He believes the research will help to inform the next steps.
“Climate change is a global concern that we have to pay attention to. Rapid developments induced by the oil industry, too, are a threat to both environmental and human rights that we are committed to work to protect,” said Mr Atuhuura shortly after the report launch.
Other areas of interest in the strategic plan include legal clinics to support the victims of human rights violation, supporting education of community members and expanding their partnership network to serve the community better.
The launch was conducted at Waluhoiza shoreline of Lake Albert in Buliisa town council.
Mr William Bamuturaki, the Chairperson for Oil and Gas Region Human Rights Defenders Association (OGHA), a grass root partner with TASHA community promised to continue working hand in hand with other partners despite challenges that include intimidation and attacks.
“Our office was recently closed by security in Buliisa town council. However, we have now opened another one at Wanseko which will be functional soon,” he said.
TASHA along with some of its members and partners across the country witnessed the strategic plan and annual report launch after a tour to environmental and human rights sensitive areas of the Albertine region.
They visited parts of Budongo forest, the Tilenga project areas of Kasinyi in Buliisa district, the badly flood-hit Butyaba town council landing sites and Butyaba escarpment.
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