Politics 16 April 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Civil Groups Press Museveni to Fulfill Oil Campaign Promises for Lake Albert Fishers
Civil society groups are urging President Yoweri Museveni to protect fishing communities near the Kingfisher oil project on Lake Albert by establishing community-led fisheries units and stopping evictions. They highlight ongoing rights abuses and stalled implementation of his 2025 pledges amid oil development by TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and UNOC. Source: https://observer.ug/news/museveni-urged-to-honour-oil-campaign-pledge-to-fishing-communities
Civil society organizations, including the Environmental Governance Institute Uganda (EGI) and Climate Rights International (CRI), have issued a joint call for President Yoweri Museveni to safeguard fishing communities impacted by oil activities on Lake Albert.
In their statement, the groups demand the swift creation of community-based fisheries protection units and an immediate end to evictions around the Kingfisher oil project, operated by TotalEnergies, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
During his August 2025 re-election campaign, Museveni promised that local fishers would lead lake management efforts through partnered units that uphold community rights. He later ordered the dissolution of prior marine units and formation of new ones with indigenous representatives on December 26, 2025, but critics note minimal advancement.
“No real steps have been taken to shield fishers’ rights near oil sites,” stated Samuel Okulony, warning that delays threaten trust in governance as livelihoods hang in the balance.
Reports from the groups, such as ‘Extortion, Coercion, and Impoverishment in Kingfisher Oil Development’ and CRI’s ‘They Don’t Want People to Stay Here,’ document boat burnings, extortion, intimidation by security, and environmental risks tied to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
Recent evictions in Kapapi sub-county displaced over 4,000 people, including from villages like Waaki North, Kapapi Central, Waaki South, Runga, Kiryatete, and Kiganja. On February 26, soldiers led by Peter Nabasa reportedly forced families out again, now occupying their homes despite prior orders to halt such actions.
EGI and CRI seek inclusive management units, land rights protections, a presidential task force with community and religious input for returns and compensation, and accountability for perpetrators.
“Museveni must direct the army to let evictees return and compensate losses,” urged Brad Adams.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)