US climate rights watchdog Climate Rights International has issued a report condemning the Kingfisher oil project along Lake Albert, Uganda, for facilitating widespread human rights violations among the local population. The report highlights various offenses, including forced evictions, labor rights abuses, gender-based violence, and significant environmental degradation that threatens the livelihoods of local communities.
The report outlines several alarming incidents, such as the Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) being accused of using violence, destroying fishing boats, and intimidating residents. These actions reportedly led to the loss of local livelihoods, including sufficient food provision. Additionally, laborers working for subcontractors of the Chinese National Overseas Oil Corporation (CNOOC) cited issues such as inadequate wages, excessive working hours, unsafe conditions, and corruption involving job procurement.
The watchdog organization called on the Ugandan government to take immediate action by ceasing human rights violations related to oil projects and conducting comprehensive investigations into the allegations. Furthermore, the report urged TotalEnergies, the majority stakeholder in the project, to publicly address these issues. Specifically, it recommended that TotalEnergies advocate for independent and impartial investigations, prosecute those responsible for human rights abuses, and ensure full compensation for affected victims.
This report is consistent with previous concerns raised by the Environment Governance Institute (EGI). In June, EGI reported that Ugandan environmental activist Stephen Kwikiriza was detained by the UPDF under concerning circumstances. Kwikiriza, who hailed from the Kingfisher project area, had been actively opposing the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and had been living in an undisclosed, safe location due to threats from the UPDF (press release).
The full report and details about the ongoing issues surrounding the Kingfisher oil project can be accessed on the Climate Rights International website here.