"Oil is a curse": In Uganda, villages uncertain about land ownership

Bugana Village

Moses K. Asaba, a resident of Bugana village in Uganda's Buliisa district, embodies the deep-seated anxiety gripping communities in the wake of the nation's oil discoveries. For generations, his family has lived on land they consider their own, a connection that now hangs precariously in the balance. The "discovery of oil in our district has been a curse for me and my family," he states, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many whose ancestral homes are now subject to the pressures of resource development. This uncertainty stems from protracted land disputes, some dating back fifteen years, which have been amplified by the oil rush.

The situation in Bugana and surrounding areas illustrates a recurring pattern in resource-rich regions across Africa, where the potential for economic prosperity often clashes with the rights and security of local populations. The presence of major oil projects, operated by entities like TotalEnergies in partnership with CNOOC and UNOC, brings with it the specter of displacement and the erosion of traditional land tenure systems. The article suggests that these communities feel increasingly marginalized, their claims to ownership overshadowed by the economic and political imperatives driving oil extraction.

TotalEnergies

The French energy giant TotalEnergies is a key player in Uganda's burgeoning oil sector, operating the Tilenga oil field project on the shores of Lake Albert. This involvement places the company at the center of the land ownership controversies. While the company's operations promise significant economic benefits for Uganda, they also bring it into direct contact with communities asserting their rights to the land. The article implies that TotalEnergies, alongside the Ugandan government and CNOOC, faces accusations from dispossessed communities.

Navigating these complex land issues requires a delicate balance between development goals and human rights. The article points to a legal challenge filed in 2020 by civil society groups against the oil project, which, while ultimately dismissed by a tribunal in Arusha for being filed too late, underscores the ongoing tensions. The case highlights the legal and social battles being waged by affected communities seeking redress and recognition of their land rights against powerful corporate and state interests.

Land Ownership

The core of the conflict in Uganda's oil-producing regions revolves around the fundamental issue of land ownership and the perceived dispossession of ancestral lands. For communities like those in Buliisa, land is not merely a commodity but a deeply ingrained part of their identity and heritage. The discovery of oil has intensified these long-standing disputes, creating a climate of fear and instability.

Residents are left in a state of limbo, unsure of their future on the land they have occupied for generations. This uncertainty is compounded by the complex legal frameworks governing land rights in Uganda, which can be difficult for local communities to navigate. The article suggests that the oil development has exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, leaving these villages in a precarious position, caught between the promise of national development and the threat of losing their homes and heritage.