People relocated due to the Oil exploration find alternative means of livelihood

By Jjunju Francis

29^th June 2023

Following relocations of communities in the interest of oil exploration in the Albertine region, western part of Uganda within Kikuube and Buliisa districts people are developing alternative means of livelihood.

In Kikuube along Lake Albert over 10,000 people were forced to come together to pave way for the Oil exploration of at least 31 Oil wells at Kingfisher Oil field that is currently under CNOOC International limited while in Buliisa over 600 settlements were relocated from where Total E&P Uganda (TEPU), Tilenga Oil Project is also exploring Oil.

At Kingfisher since communities are along the lake shore cross boarder business has increased from Congo and Uganda dealing mainly in food staff and general merchandise among other benefits according to one Dismus Bahainamaiso are chairman of Songa A village in Buhuka.

Bahainamaiso further says the local communities have received bursaries from the Oil companies for their children to get employable skills to support their families, clean water to fight waterborne diseases and community sensitization in other community development plans.

In Buliisa Total E&P in conjunction with Living Earth Uganda has helped those who were relocated to start up commercial farming in Cassava, Oranges and Mangoes.

Cassava has been given high attention bringing in new varieties that are early maturing within 6 to 8 months sweet and have provided a modern machine that chops it into slices that are dried within hours and kept in Syros for further use at high price.

Ocowun Christopher, a Public Relations Officer with TotalEnergies Uganda says that most people opted for farming to support themselves although a few went into animals. Total’s goal at the end of the day is to make the lives of the people better and to ensure the sustainability of the project”

Philemon Nganda a Senior Agronomist with Living Earth in Buliisa says farmers are dealing in NAROCAS 1 cassava variety that is grown in the three districts of Hoima, Buliisa, and Kikuube because it has proved very friendly in the area besides its high benefits.

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