"Residents Make Last-Ditch Appeal to President as Karuma Hydropower Launch Nears" Just Finance International, 15 August 2024

[....] The [...] project, funded by China and constructed by Sinohydro, has been marred by 11 years of delays and controversy. Now, with the launch scheduled for August, the residents of Karuma and surrounding villages are voicing their concerns directly to the highest office in the country. [...].

[...] community members representing over 119 households detail their grievances, focusing on the failed Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). [...]

[...] the impending launch of the project [...] would be premature without resolving the outstanding issues. “Compensation for their property was mishandled—people were given incorrect rates for their land. This injustice calls for a review to ensure that those who were cheated receive fair compensation,”

“[...] there was a promise of resettlement but up to now people are still there—none have been resettled. [...] they were deceiving us that the dam project will make us [and our lives] better, but we are now worse [off].”

In the meantime, evictions and reported land grabs around the project have continued, with poor compensation [...].

Letter of Complaints and Concerns of Karuma Dam Affected Communities – signed by 48 signatories representing 119 households of vulnerable and poorly compensated project affected community members in Karuma, addressed to: 

1. The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy
2. The LC V Kiryandongo district
3. The Chief Government Valuer – Ministry of lands
4. The Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda
5. The Sinohydro Corporation
6. The Chinese Embassy in Kampala, Uganda
7. The Chief Justice of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Owiny Dolo
8. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs