Uganda’s mega-oil project: NGOs denounce massive human rights violations
Serious accusations surrounding the TotalEnergies and CNOOC oil project
The oil megaproject launched by the French company TotalEnergies and the Chinese company CNOOC in Uganda and Tanzania continues to generate intense controversy. NGOs point to systematic human rights violations, including forced displacement, violent evictions, sexual assaults, and significant environmental degradation. These accusations are rejected by the Ugandan government, which calls these claims “baseless allegations.”
The project, valued at 10 billion euros , involves extracting oil from more than 400 wells in the Lake Albert region of western Uganda. Once extracted, the oil will be transported to the Tanzanian port of Tanga via a 1,443 km heated pipeline , the longest of its kind in the world.
Lake Albert: a wealth exploited at high risk
Located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lake Albert contains approximately 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil , of which 1.4 billion barrels are recoverable . Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni , in power since 1986, has been a vocal advocate for the project, touting it as a major opportunity for economic growth for the country. However, environmental and human rights advocates have opposed the initiative, saying it jeopardizes the region’s unique ecosystem and local communities.
Alarming human and environmental impacts
NGOs have documented the forced displacement of thousands of people to free up land needed for infrastructure. The evictions have reportedly been accompanied by physical and sexual violence , worsening the precariousness of already vulnerable populations. Critics also point to catastrophic environmental consequences:
- Destruction of local ecosystems , particularly around Lake Albert, a region of exceptional biodiversity.
- Increased risk of oil spills , which could pollute agricultural areas and essential drinking water sources.
- Increased greenhouse gas emissions , particularly from the heated pipeline, which goes against international climate commitments.
Growing international opposition
The protests are not limited to East Africa. In September 2022, climate activists demonstrated in New York against the project, highlighting its incompatibility with carbon reduction targets. International organizations such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International have denounced the inaction of the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments in the face of reported abuses, calling for an immediate suspension of the project.
An economic challenge for Uganda and Tanzania
Despite criticism, the oil project is seen by authorities as a crucial driver of development. Uganda hopes the revenues will help reduce poverty and fund national infrastructure. However, there are calls for the profits not to come at the expense of local populations and the environment.
Conclusion: a project at a crossroads
The Lake Albert oil megaproject illustrates a complex dilemma: how to exploit natural resources to stimulate economic development without sacrificing human rights or degrading the environment? Faced with growing international pressure, TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and the governments involved will have to prove that economic development can be compatible with social and environmental justice. The future of the project will depend on their ability to meet these challenges.
