By Daniel Bakalangudde.
mulungidaniels@gmail.com
Uganda opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) President Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu “alias” Bobi Wine has welcomed the European Union (EU) Parliament’s resolution seeking to halt development of East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
Hon Kyagulanyi said he is in agreement with the EU MPs concerns of gross human rights violations and environmental abuses involved in the project.
“ Several people especially those from the Bunyoro Lake Albert region have been evicted from their land without any compensation,” he said.
The legislator who returned from a European trip told a Press conference at the party headquarters in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb, that the oil project is currently benefitting a a chosen few privileged individuals.
“I’m aware of the importance of the oil project to the citizens of Uganda and Tanzania but as things stand now it not serve the real purpose hence need for a delay in implementation”.
But Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs Mr Peter Muliisa refuted claims by Hon Kyagulanyi on people evicted as untrue and unfounded.
He said there are 3,648 affected persons on the oil project, whose land has been valued and 72% persons have signed agreements while 56 % have already received their compensation.
“ We are working towards offsetting all monies owed to the people due for compensation by the December 2022 deadline,:” he said.
The oil official said they are paying compensation equivalent to land market value including 30% disturbance allowance and where over delay has been recorded an additional 15% uplift fee is paid out.
The EU Parliament on September 14, 2022 voted by a majority of 334 to pass a resolution that seeks to compel Uganda, Tanzania, and TotalEnergies to delay the development of the proposed EACOP for at least one year.
The MPs cited major environmental and climate risks posed by the project. They recommended an alternative route that would not affect as many people and the ecosystem as well as a review of alleged human rights abuses especially in Uganda.
The EU Parliament said if EACOP goes on, it would be an affront to the efforts to combat climate change. They mentioned carbon emissions as a contributing factor to worldwide catastrophes that have also affected Uganda like the rise of landslides in the Elgon region.
EAC defends oil pipeline project disputed by the European Parliament
The East African Community (EAC) has joined regional well – wishers of the East Africa Crude Oil pipeline (EACOP) project in the protest against the European Union Parliament’s resolution which seeks to halt the development.
EAC Secretary General Dr Peter Mathuki twitted saying the project would benefit the region and environmental concerns to protect people have been taken into account.
“The East Africa Oil Pipeline project offers local and long – term solutions to our local challenges in our region. The benefits of EACOP project are enormous to our people. In EAC we are about people and environment,” reads Dr Mathuki’s tweet.
The European Union Parliament on September 14, 2022 adopted a resolution raising concerns of human rights violations and enviromental abuses involved in the project.
They said over 100,000 people are being forcefully evicted from their homes and land to pave way for the controversial oil pipeline project.
The EU noted that people were being deprived from use of their land without receiving required compensation.
EU Parliament calls on the international community to exert pressure on Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities as well as the project promoters and stakeholders, to protect the environment and to protect ecosystems ■
