Uganda: Community interviews in Kingfisher Development Area highlight unmet livelihood commitments and ineffective grievance mechanisms, CSO says
Having conducted interviews with affected residents in the Kingfisher Development area, Just Finance International (JFI) points that certain human rights issues remain unresolved. Although TotalEnergies and the EACOP consortium have pledged to restore local residents’ livelihoods, interviewees stated that restrictions on herding and fishing activities persist, forcing indigenous fishermen and herders to relocate to other areas. JFI requested the EACOP consortium on two occasions to disclose audit results, grievance data, and security monitoring procedures, but had not received a response by the time the report was published. The report also noted that community members lack trust in the project’s grievance mechanisms, fearing retaliation after filing complaints or believing the mechanisms lack independence and practical effectiveness.
The Business and Human Rights Centre reached out to CNOOC, TotalEnergies, Uganda National Oil Company, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation and The East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline project for responses. TotalEnergies Responded.