Acholo Rosemary a resident of Kikajjo village in Nabulembeko Parish in Wattuba Sub County in Kyankwanzi district has called upon the district leadership to help in the increasing domestic violence in the village over the compensation money.
Acholo says many families had good working relationship before the EACOP pipeline came in.
“EACOP has brought domestic violence onto the lives of women. Some families have even been broken including mine since this project started,” she told our reporter during a media community outreach.
She says that many of the families had hopes in the project after the valuation and the promises from the government.
“We had hopes that the money would be paid in the shortest time after the valuation process, but the compensation was delayed and in the process of delaying, my husband decided to take a loan from a local money lender knowing that after compensation he would pay back the money”, she explained.
Acholo narrates that as the compensation was delayed, the loan accumulated a lot of interest and when the compensation arrived, most of it was taken by the money lenders, leaving them with little money that brought a lot of tension and domestic violence characterizedby unending fights with the husband that caused the family separation.
“We were living in peace and harmony before this project came. Whenever we got money from farming, we would plan for that money as a family,” she added.
Asuman Ssembatya, the parish chairperson for Nabulembeko Parish in Kyankwanzi district also the NRM secretary for Kyankwanzi said that the issues have been taken to the probation officers in the district.
“I have helped families in my area but because i have no authority over the matters. I had to lead them to the respective offices for more help,” he said.
Ssebikali Joel the Ntwetwe constituency Member of Parliament says that the EACOP matters were presented on the floor of parliament and he is hopeful communities will be helped at the right moment.
Ssebufu Leo a resident of Lwanda in Kibiga Sub County in Kiboga district is repeatedly expressing concerns over the valuation of property affected by the oil pipeline that was conducted five years ago.
Ssebufu argues that although he has hope of getting his due compensation, it is proper that his properties are re-quantified basing on the present market value. He says that the affected persons in the same area were not promptly compensated yet they were asked to stop using the properties as soon as the demarcations were done, which interrupted their land utilization plans.
“I need the government to re-arrange the new valuations because our land was valued on a low price by the time of demarcation and now the price has hiked yet we were not yet paid,” he narrated.
Ssebufu says there was undervaluation during the first phase of the exercise, where the PAPs accuse the valuation and route demarcation contractors of carrying out the work in a rush hence making omissions while compiling inventories of the properties to be affected.
Mr. Ssebufu and other affected persons want government to sign lease agreements with them, to have their land rights protected and recovered in the future once the project is concluded.
Kisuule Joseph of the same place argues that the project Resettlement Action Plan-RAP framework reports need reviews to conform to the current demands and changes that have since occurred.
“I had a plot that was valued about 6 million Uganda Shillings by then and now since its at 10-15 million because the development in the nearby town council has highly increased leading to land price increment”, explained Mr. Kisuule
Ms.Nagayi Vicensia also a resident in the same area has repeatedly demanded a second evaluation exercise before the actual construction works begins. She argues that their properties have gained value since 2018 when the first assessments were conducted.
Nagayi wants the government to sign agreements with the Project Affected Persons to have their land rights protected and recovered in the future once the project is concluded.
“Such arrangements will allow our descendants to also benefit from our land in the future,” she said.
Nagayi thanked Community Green Radio and NAPE for always amplifying their community issues.
A total of over 100 people in Kiboga district are living within the demarcated route of the proposed pipeline were put to notice of receiving compensation for their properties that will be destroyed to pave way for the construction works.
Kisule Joseph a resident of Lwanda village in Gogonya Parish Kibiga Sub County in Kiboga district has expressed worry after two years without receiving any information about his land title.
Kisule says authorities and project representatives, including subcontractors asked for their land tittles in the meeting that was held in 2023 in the month of May at Kibiga sub county headquarters.
“I was asked to give away my land title so that they can curve off the piece of land that they had paid for where the pipeline in going to path though but am worried its now two years I have never got any information,” said Kisule.
He says communities impacted by oil development lack information about the progress of the project and the whereabouts of their land titles.
Kisule says he has asked all the local leaders to have information about the title since they were all involved in the meeting but all in vain.
“Me and my family we are in a dilemma since we can’t trace our title with no answers so we call upon the government and other stake holders who can help us to find our land title,” he cried out.
Kisule appreciated NAPE for always facilitating them to express their issues via community Green Radio.
Ssebufu Leo also a resident of the same area is accusing companies and the government of taking their land unfairly.
He explained that the quoted amounts given to them would not meet the cost of buying equal and adequate property with similar agricultural and ecological conditions.
“We have graves on the land that was affected so we are wondering whether they will give us additional money to exhume our family members because we have no information,” he asked.
Kobugabe Edith Abwooli one of the PAPs a resident of Kitegwa B village in Kabale parish in Buseruka Sub county in Hoima district says that the climate changed since the drilling and the construction of the pipeline started.
She says the destruction of swamps, wetlands, and water sources caused climate changes adding that indigenous trees were cut down and no efforts have been made to replace them.
While in her garden Kobugabe says the threat of oil spills poses severe dangers to wildlife and communities that depend on these ecosystems for their survival.
“I just plant crop hoping that one day we shall have rain so that our crops grow. We used to plant maize and sell it but now it’s hard,” Kobugabe says.
Kobugabe thanked NAPE for sensitizing them on how to conserve the environment by planting trees around homes and gardens.
She also says that after all the trainings and sensitizations from NAPE and community green radio, this has change her livelihood in the new farming methods and food storage programs from NAPE.
Persons affected by the oil pipeline have condemned delayed compensation process that has kept them waiting for long. They say delayed compensation for their land and property is as good as nothing.
Annet Kasolo a resident of Kabaale village in Kabaale parish in Buseruka Sub County in Hoima district says that due to the delayed compensation, the residents have faced challenges with their spouses who cannot stand the poverty they go through.
According to Kasolo areas affected by the pipeline are areas occupied by predominantly rural poor and that the livelihoods of most families impacted by EACOP are land based, with households growing crops and economic trees for their own subsistence consumption and income generation.
She says the delays in compensation and the farming limitations initially communicated impacted households requiring them to only grow seasonal crops.
“The communication to community members affected by the EACOP to stop usage of their land was not received timely and thus had negative consequences, especially on us who depend on our land for survival”, she said.
“In 2019 we were told that compensation would happen in a short-while and therefore advised to grow only short-term crops that we would be harvested in not more than 6months,” Kasolo narrated.
This trend of events culminates into the current effects are hunger, loss of income, and perhaps resulting into total livelihoods disruptions for many of the families and people impacted by EACOP.
Kasolo claims that the assessment indicated that land was considered was bare/ plain of any crops yet in actual sense it had various cash crops including coffee, cocoa, mangoes, and others which all missed out on the assessment forms.
Rajab Bwengye, the coordinator of projects and Manager of Community Green radio – NAPE said that NAPE will continue guiding and empowering the PAPs on all injustices like delayed compensation noting that even in countries like Nigeria, Oil pipelines have caused massive suffering singling out OGONI LAND in Rivers State –Port Harcourt city Nigeria where all arable land and water bodies have been devastated by Oil pipelines.
Organizations like Amnesty International and Minority Rights Group have highlighted the devastation and called for international attention and action to address the situation. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the Ogoni people and environmental justice.
Raising international concern, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) conducted a major assessment of the environmental situation in Ogoniland, further emphasizing the severity of the problem. The assessment involved detailed investigations of soil and groundwater contamination at numerous sites, highlighting the wide-ranging impact brought about by nearly 50 years of oil and gas exploration in the land of the Ogoni people.
A 48-year-old Nyambubi Mary a resident of Kitegwa B in Kabaale Parish Buseruka Sub County in Hoima district struggles to support her seven children.
Nyambubi, whose land was acquired for the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in 2023, says the land acquisition process has been marred by poor communication and inadequate compensation.
She says the affected households are much worse off than before. She says that they are still awaiting the adequate compensation promised by pipe line Authorities in the various meetings they attended.
Nyambubi described pressure and intimidation by officials from the company and its subcontractors to agree to low levels of compensation that was inadequate to buy replacement land.
“Most of us in the EACOP pipeline corridor we are illiterate. We are not aware of the terms of the agreements that we signed and to those who refused signing have faced constant pressure from company officials, threats of court action and harassment from local government and security officials,” said Nyambubi.
She added that they were not being offered the option of replacement land and instead were coerced to accept cash compensations that were below the cost to replace land.
Nyambubi, who did sign, says the compensation amounts received are far below what they need to purchase replacement lands.
“Those families, who have purchased replacement land with their compensation, have typically bought less land, with poorer soil quality, located far away, and with land costs steadily increasing in many of the areas of proposed oil development, partly due to land speculation,” Nyambubi stated.
However, she says lack of replacement land and inadequate compensations have left many families poorer and unsure about the future.
Nyambubi described being largely self-sufficient before the oil projects began, using revenue from coffee, bananas, and other cash crops to pay for school fees and other household expenses.
In an interview with Community Green Radio, Nyambubi narrated how the inadequate compensation has impacted their food security. She says community members have to buy food to feed their families. This has required some of them to sell household assets, including livestock, or borrowing from predatory lenders at excessive interest rates.
Rajab Bwengye, the coordinator of projects at National Association of Professional Environmentalists – NAPE and the Community Green radio asked the community to utilize the radio to amplify their voices and support them in holding the leaders accountable.
Kalule Joseph, a 49 year of old resident of Byerima LC B village Byerima sub county Kyankwanzi district is still demanding for compensation 3 years after his property was assessed and valued.
Kalule says since December 2022, he has been expecting his compensation but with no results and his hope is fading.
“Since 2022 I have been waiting for my money but what I am surprised of is some of my neighbors who were assessed after me were paid but for me I even don’t know what is going on”, Kalule said.
Kalule’s frustration is compounded by the fact that the value of his property has tremendously changed and that he would pray for a reassessment and valuation. His property was valued at about 32.5 million Uganda shillings (about USD 9,000).
“I want them to come back and we value because in 2022 the price of land was cheaper and now land is expensive and yet I have never got any coin”, he explained.
Ssenono Tadeo the Byerima Sub county LC 3 chairperson affirms Kalule’s paid and frustration. Ssenono says that due to the delayed compensation, there are reported cases of family breakage because husbands can’t fulfill family financial obligations.
“Compensation money has delayed and this is affecting family stability. Husbands can no longer sustain families. Some wives have divorced because of economic hardships”, Ssenono explained.
There are over 50 EACOP project affected persons in Kyankwanzi District who claim they haven’t been compensated.
Bukenya Christine, the Woman Member of Parliament Kyankwanzi district says Parliament passed the ECOP bill to compel government to compensate affected communities promptly and adequately.
“As parliament, we are working on a legislation to compel government clear compensations adequately and urgently. During my district monitoring expeditions, I realized many affected community members aren’t compensated yet”, the MP explained.
Samuel Mugisa the Social Affairs Officer at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) says the compensations are still ongoing and that those who have not yet been paid will be paid.
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa noted that 95% of the displaced people have been resettled, despite the difficulties in paying landowners in Uganda, where land ownership is perpetual.
In a bid to prevent the extinction of indigenous trees, Rwanda Community Green Radio listeners group has been argued to plant more indigenous trees.
Allan Kalangi, the Sustainability School Programme’s Manager at National Association of Professional Environmentalists-NAPE says most community members are turning to growing exotic trees due to their commercial benefits, abandoning ingenious trees, something that could lead to the extinction of the latter if not checked.
“Much as we need to plant exotic trees for commercial purposes, we need to continue growing our indigenous trees for their medicinal, water shed and ecosystem purposes and ensure they do not vanish. Indigenous trees are as important as exotic trees. Grow them on a large scale to keep them in existence,” said Kalangi.
In the meeting held at Rwanda village, Gogonya Parish in Kibiga Sub county Kiboga district, Kalangi stressed that with high levels of deforestation resulting from cutting down trees for timber, agricultural activities and bush burning, indigenous trees are likely to extinct.
“We encourage local communities to continue growing indigenous tree species in their ranches and gardens,” said Kalangi adding that the Radio will continue sensitizing local communities on the dangers of deforestation; a vice that has led to bad effects of climate change.
This came after Nagayi Vensus a community group member gave testimony of how Soursop (Ekitafeli) the indigenous fruit helped her cure a fellow community member from breast cancer.
Ms. Nagayi said Soursop fruit is an immune booster with a number of phytonutrients that are highly effective at destroying cancer cells, chronic diseases and boasting immunity.
“It was one day when my friend was feeling pain in the breast and I gave her a try at Soursop that I had planted after I heard it on radio in one of the programs. After a while, she told me she was fine which forced me to plant more and now the community treats me as a doctor forgetting that I used Indigenous tree to heal the disease,” Nagayi said.
Nagayi called upon community members to plant trees that help in many aspects like medicine and food.
“The nutrients help to boast the body’s immunity to fight infections,” she said.
Sserwada a resident of Rwanda village Gogonya parish, Kibiga Sub County in Kiboga district started farming rabbits in July 2020 after schools were closed due to COVID – 19. He started rearing rabbits in order to earn a living and also raise money for his secondary education.
“I was idle at home with nothing to do. This is when decided to start rearing rabbits. While listening to Community Green Radio, I heard a gentleman from Masodde village in Kyankwanzi district talking about rabbits and I got interested,” Sserwada said.
Sserwada says, to get the right skills, he looked for the gentleman called Ssebulime Ronald a known Rabbit farmer in Kyankwanzi district at his farm.
“During training and a visit to his farm, I learnt about hybrid rabbits whereas I was only used to indigenous breeds,” says Sserwada, adding that the hybrids are bigger and have sweeter meat.
Sserwada started off with two rabbits which he got from friend. By September 2021, they had increases to 50 rabbits.
“I had bought one rabbit from my friend and my aunt chased me to take it back since she didn’t like them. But later after the Community Green Radio program I involved her thank God she had also heard the same program and the benefits from farming rabbit,” he said.
Ms.Nagayi Vensus a resident of the same village and aunt to Sserwada said he had denied him an opportunity of earning sum funds from rabbit farming.
“I really thank Community Green Radio for bringing the radio down to the community because if I didn’t listen to the program, I couldn’t let my boy to keep rabbits but after that program and training I decided to provide some piece of land to him,” Nagayi said.
Sserwada’s investment has grown to 2million shillings. He has stock of 50 rabbits.
“Farmers in our village have started benefiting from my rabbits. Rabbit waste is used as organic fertilizer, rabbit urine is good liquid manure for crops and is on high demand in some parts of the country,” said Sserwada.
Sserwada is appealing to youths not to focus on seeking employment but instead start small income-generating activities that do not require huge capital.
“Rabbits multiply as many as six times a year on average and each time can produce eight kittens per litter. This assures one income throughout the year. There is also a high demand for rabbit meat and rabbits are easy to rear and very economical in terms of feeding, as they feed on grass,” said Sserwada.
Challenges
The main challenge he faces is diseases such as ear cankers, swellings, pneumonia and coccidiosis which can be managed if diagnosed early.
Some of the challenges he grapples with are diseases such as Coccidiosis, but he has managed to stem them through good rabbit husbandry practices.
Sserwada says for a farmer to keep rabbits successfully, he must maintain high hygiene standards.
“The cages must be well-ventilated and clean while water containers must be cleaned daily to protect the rabbits from diseases. We encourage farmers to keep a close eye on their rabbits, give them the correct diet, update vaccinations, regular health checks to keep diseases at bay.”
Marketing and sales
The young farmer also sells the rabbits to the local communities and the selling price is determined by the weight of the rabbit. The lowest price a kitten is between 10,000-20,000 Uganda shillings and the old one range between 50, 000 and 80, 000 Uganda Shillings.
The Nnabagereka (Queen) of Buganda Kingdom Sylvia Nagginda has appealed for an end to single use of plastics to reduce on the adverse effects of plastics on the environment and human life.
While launching the Panel Discussion on the plastic pollution at Munyonyo Speke Hotel in Kampala at the climax of the flip-flop expedition, the queen appreciated the Flip-flop team for the great work done to preach plastic awareness in the region.
“To see our region clean and plastic-free one day, we need to start by increasing the knowledge and understanding of plastic pollution amongst communities,” explain the Nnabagereka.
Nnabagereka called on activists and community groups to join the struggle of ending single use of plastics. She explained that the major environmental problem of plastics in the lakes and Rivers can only be tackled through innovative technologies.
Flip-flop is the world’s first recycled plastic sailing dhow that has sailed on Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater ecosystem, taking its vital message up-stream and calling for an end to unnecessary single-use plastic.
Ben Morrison, the Chief Executive Officer of the Flip-flop project explained that the dhow was built to show the world that it is possible to make valuable materials out of waste plastic, and that single-use plastic does not make sense.
He said the voyage was meant to send an urgent message to the East African community on the need to end the unnecessary single use plastic that is a threat in the region especially Lake Victoria .
“Sailing around the lake, we aim to inspire people to create their own waste-plastic innovations and adopt circular solutions that will build greener businesses, whilst also taking plastic out of the environment. Together with communities across the Lake Victoria region, we hope to bring awareness and innovative solutions to beat pollution,” Morrison said
Dipesh Pabari the project leader on the Flip-flop expedition explained that the aim is to make awareness to community leaders, conservationists, business leaders and policymakers, demonstrating alternate uses of waste plastic and other circular waste models, while calling for an end to single-use plastics.
The boat gets its name from the 30,000 recycled flip-flops used to decorate its multi-coloured hull.
Namujju Juliet, a resident of Mpigi and a founder of Kimuli Fashion ability said such successful plastic recycled products inspire local communities to ensure proper management of plastic wastes.
“In my village, hundreds of plastic bottles are littered daily, I decided to transform the plastic waste in Mpigi greatly to reduced plastic pollution,” she narrated to our reporter.
Kyoburungi Gwendolyn the coordinator water resources institute at the ministry of water and environment explained that government had passed laws to fight against plastic pollution in the country.
“We are committed to fight against plastic pollution and will continue to work closely with the communities to find solutions to our ever evolving environmental challenges,” Kyoburungi said.
Louise Ellis the British Deputy High Commissioner to Uganda said fighting single use of plastics is what they have worked on for a while and pledged to continue to save the environment.
“Fighting single use of plastics will help us to clean up our towns, cities and beaches and will also improve how we recover resources, and reduce waste to landfill,” Louise said.
Louise encouraged all the community to join hands and fight the pollution adding that collecting the plastics can work as employment to the unemployed.
Copyright ©2026 Community Green Radio . All Rights Reserved. Designed : Lwegatech