Oil Companies in Albertine Graben Accused of Inadequate Grievance Handling

Benard Mujuni, the vommissioner for equity at the Ministry of Labour, urged project-affected persons who believe they have not been adequately compensated to persist in demanding their rights.

Experts, civil society organisations, and district leaders in the Albertine Graben have called on oil companies to establish independent and robust grievance committees.

They argue that while existing structures focus primarily on land disputes, they are ill-equipped to address other critical issues, such as flooding, excessive lighting, and livestock accidents, which have hampered operations.

This comes as Uganda aims to produce its first oil by 2025.

Benard Mujuni, the vommissioner for equity at the Ministry of Labour, urged project-affected persons (PAPs) who believe they have not been adequately compensated to persist in demanding their rights.

He emphasised that prioritising oil companies over citizens is unjust.

Following the discovery of oil, Uganda contracted several companies to extract its resources, including CNOOC, which operates the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube District, and Total, which oversees the Tilenga oil project in Buliisa District.

Despite ongoing grievances regarding valuation and compensation, both oil companies and the government have made efforts to address these issues to facilitate smooth oil extraction in the region.

However, experts, civil society organisations, and local leaders contend that the focus remains too narrow, primarily addressing land disputes while neglecting other grievances.

Gilbert Tibasanga, Vice Chairman of Buliisa, highlighted the consequences of this oversight.

"While they handle land disputes fairly, when floods hit Buliisa in 2021, they were unprepared, and work had to stop for some time. Livestock accidents and excessive lighting from machinery continue to be significant concerns that are not adequately addressed," he stated.

Paul Mulindwa, Executive Director of the Kitara Civil Society Organisation Network, advocated for the formation of independent grievance-handling mechanisms

. "Oil companies must establish robust committees to address emerging challenges promptly. The sector is highly sensitive, and poor handling of grievances can tarnish the country’s image," he warned.

Commissioner Mujuni reiterated the need for fair compensation for PAPs, emphasising that the rights of citizens must not be overlooked.

"We are aware that some individuals have still not received fair compensation. We cannot prioritise oil extraction over the welfare of our citizens. I support their continued advocacy for equitable compensation," he said.

Mujuni also stressed the importance of compensating for cultural and relocation values.

"When people are separated from their communities, it disrupts their social fabric. For instance, women who have formed support groups in their villages are impacted," he said.

"Cultural values, including support systems for fetching water and firewood, are intangible but significant. Those who have lived in a community for generations have deep-rooted memories and attachments that must be acknowledged and compensated."

Without effective grievance handling mechanisms, experts warn that Uganda may struggle to meet its oil production targets by 2025.

Any unforeseen calamity, such as the floods experienced in 2021, could further delay operations.