Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-04-03 05:10:32
The Tilenga and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects in Uganda have raised serious concerns among the affected households, who feel neglected and unheard in their quest for justice and fair treatment. The failure of key stakeholders in Uganda’s judicial system to grant them an audience to discuss their grievances has left them disillusioned and uncertain about their future.
A press conference organized at Hotel Africana in Kampala saw members of the 42 families sued by the government expressing disappointment after being unable to meet with important figures like Norbert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, and the Deputy Chief Justice. The households also intended to engage with the Principal Judge, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), and Total Energies’ Managing Director, but their attempts were unsuccessful, signaling a lack of responsiveness and dialogue on critical issues affecting their rights and livelihoods.
The affected households had reached out to various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, seeking a meeting to discuss their grievances, but to no avail. This lack of interaction left them feeling neglected and unheard in their pursuit of justice in the face of potential evictions related to the oil projects.
The genesis of the conflict dates back to December 2023 when the government filed a lawsuit against the affected households who had rejected the compensation offered by Total Energies, deeming it inadequate and unfair. The affected people argued that the government’s valuation did not reflect the true value of their land and its impact on their livelihoods. Furthermore, they cited a violation of Article 26 of the Ugandan Constitution, which protects property rights and ensures fair compensation.
The rushed court processes led to a judgment against the households within four days, allowing the government to proceed with evictions. The affected households, many of whom are illiterate and lacked adequate notice or financial resources to participate in the legal proceedings, faced a lack of due process, hindering their ability to defend their interests.
The uncertainty surrounding their future has left many families in a precarious situation. Eviction from their land, which serves as their primary source of income, poses a significant threat to their livelihoods. Despite facing legal battles, evictions, and disruptions, the affected individuals remain resolute in their pursuit of fair compensation and justice.
Dickens Kamugisha, the Executive Director of the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), emphasized the broader implications of the government’s actions and court precedents that allow for the violation of constitutional rights and unfair treatment of landowners. He called on all Ugandans to take a keen interest in the struggles of the affected families and warned of the potential consequences of setting precedents that undermine constitutional rights.
In conclusion, the plight of the oil project-affected households in Uganda highlights the challenges faced by marginalized communities in accessing justice and fair treatment. Despite their grievances and struggles, these individuals continue to advocate for their rights and seek a just resolution to their situation.
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