Uganda government moots forceful acquisition of oil pipeline land

Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon Ruth Nankabirwa, announced on Wednesday that the government is considering the compulsory acquisition of land from 112 individuals amid ongoing delays.

The EACOP, a major infrastructure project set to stretch from Uganda to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, has significant implications for the region's energy sector. However, the project's progress on the Ugandan side has encountered hurdles, particularly concerning land acquisition and compensation.

Read: Kenya, Uganda in talks to extend petroleum pipeline from Eldoret to Kampala

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Minister Nankabirwa detailed the scale of the impact, noting that the pipeline spans approximately 2,740 acres in Uganda, affecting 3,660 individuals.

Out of these, 177 required resettlement, with all resettlement houses already constructed and handed over. About 95% of the project-affected persons have received compensation, and 97% have signed compensation agreements, with pending payments still being processed.

Justification

However, the process hasn't been smooth for all. Approximately 112 cases are now under consideration for compulsory acquisition according to the minister.

The reasons, she said, vary from absentee landlords and untraceable individuals to disputes in land ownership and families; some are outright refusing the compensation offered.

"These social challenges are holding us back," explained Nankabirwa.

"There are also legal documents that we require; we don't just compensate anyhow. Unfortunately, some of these people lack these documents."

The project is reportedly ready to compensate fully, yet these complications have necessitated a move towards compulsory acquisition.

The legal framework in Uganda allows for compulsory land acquisition by the government for public purposes, provided fair and prompt compensation is offered.

This step, however, is often controversial, sparking debates about the balance between development and individual land rights.

The situation in Uganda contrasts with the progress in Tanzania, where pipeline construction is advancing more smoothly.

In Tanzania, the overall progress of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Management, and Commissioning (EPCMC) of the EACOP stands at 39.3%.

Notably, construction of the thermal insulation plant in Nzega district, Tabora, was completed in March, and 7 batches of line pipe measuring 500 km have been delivered.