Africa economy
The land question, central issue of the Ugandan oil project [3/4]
Audio 02:29
A couple of people affected by the oil project take advice from the Third Party, Mpasana village on July 19, 2022. © Charlotte Cosset / RFI
By: Charlotte Cosset Follow
3 mins
According to Total, for the oil project in Uganda, 6,400 hectares of land are being acquired, which concerns nearly 19,000 households.
An underestimated figure according to NGOs.
The land issue is one of the central issues of the large oil project Tilenga/Eacop, under construction in the north-west of the country.
TotalEnergies is one of the major players there.
And at the heart of the controversies and tensions, it is in particular the compensation for land and crops that is of concern.
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From our special correspondent, back from Buliisa, Uganda
It is an important day for Daoundante Tumusimwe.
She's wearing her big day outfit.
“
I am well dressed today because I came to sign the compensation agreement.
All that was missing was our signature to release the money.
I am very satisfied
,” she says.
In this small town in the north-west, around twenty people affected by the project - the PAPS - were asked to come and sign the final compensation agreement in this small town in the north-west.
By signing this document, they agree to sell their land to Total.
If Daoundante Tumusimwe is satisfied with the terms of the agreement, this is not always the case.
The PAPS can then file a complaint with Total, and also have the possibility of appealing to a third party.
Daoundante Tumusimwe and her husband sign the agreement to transfer their land, Mpasana village on July 19, 2022. © Charlotte Cosset / RFI
“
We are here to help PAPS.
We give independent advice on the project.
We are neither part of EACOP nor part of the government
”, explains Ambrose Muganga, legal adviser.
Beside him, a man with a scowling face.
He is currently not authorized to sign for his compensation
“
His wife is not there and he says they are separated.
If so, he must prove it.
That's why we try to explain to him that we need the contact of his father-in-law or his mother-in-law to contact his wife.
If she confirms, he can then sign
,” he tells us.
To listen also: Oil project: Uganda wants to build its sectors [1/4]
It happens that the dissatisfied are heard.
Moses Bedijo is the representative of PAPS from another locality.
He tells :
“Sometimes there are demonstrations.
This happens when offsets are delayed.
And sometimes the PAPS complain that the amounts of compensation are insufficient, that the amount is too low compared to the value of the land”
Everything has been assessed: land, buildings, crops.
Jérémy Roeygens, as EACOP's land and social manager in Uganda puts it:
“The evaluation was indeed financed by Total.
As is the case in the majority of industrial projects around the world, it is the
developer
who finances the studies, but these studies are then reviewed and validated if considered valid by the authorities in charge.
Obviously, everything that is done here in Uganda is done in accordance with the laws and regulations of the country.
»
Total assures it, additional compensations are granted during delays.
Cases have been taken to court.
To listen also: In Uganda, the oil road changes daily life [2/4]
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