Residents of Kiryajobyo Village, Gayaza sub –county in Kyankwanzi district are increasingly distressed by the EACOP workers’ diversion of rain water, exacerbating the area’s severe shortage.
The residents believe the workers are blocking rain water just minimize interruptions while carrying out their duties.
This situation has left most of the people worried since most of the water sources dried up and now even the rain water is being diverted.
“Our crops are withering under the scorching sun, and to make matters worse, the constant diversion of rain water has left us struggling to access even water for domestic use ‘’ Nakigozi Madrine one of the residents said .
Nakigozi urged all leaders in the community and the government to step in and address the situation before it worsens further.
Lugambagye Edward, the Kiryajobyo village chairperson pledged to support the residents after carrying out investigation into this matter.
Residents are forced to trek miles in search of water for domestic use, a grueling daily ordeal that adds immense strain to their already challenging lives.
‘’It feels like the focus is entirely on the pipeline construction, leaving our lives and basic needs an afterthought.’’ The residents stated.
Leosan Ssebalunzi says the actions of the oil pipeline workers are not only affecting the environment but also the livelihoods of the residents.
Ssebalunzi pleaded with the workers to halt the inconsiderate diversion of rain water, a move that he says is taking a dire toll on the community, exacerbating an already desperate situation.
The Gayaza sub county Community development officer Amos Byantalo Michael has promised to investigate the matter and take necessary report to the district officials and EACOP.
STORY COMPILED BY JOANNE NTEZA
The East Africa crude oil pipeline, EACOP has had a significant impact on climate change, particularly in the affected districts where the construction of the pipeline is said to have led to the destruction of numerous forests and wetlands, exacerbating environmental vulnerabilities.
The residents of Kikuube,Kyankwanzi and Hoima districts attributed the change in climate to the EACOP.
It should be noted that the during the construction of the pipeline, several forests and wetlands were affected and this might be one of the reason of change of certain climatic aspects in these areas. Forests affected include Taala forest reserve in Kyankwanzi district, Wambabya forest reserve that connects Bugoma and Budongo in Kikuube and Hoima (western Uganda) Bugoma central forest reserve in Kikuube and Hoima districts.
The residents of Hoima, particularly farmers, are grappling with hardships as the scorching sun has withered their crops.
Matovu Peter, a prominent banana farmer in Hoima district, expressed his deep sorrow as his plantation withers under the relentless sun and put the blame on the project.
“I have lost my entire banana plantation to the relentless heat, a harsh shift from the more balanced climate we had before the project”, Matovu explained.
The same hardship is also hitting Kyankwanzi as residents are struggling with water shortage due to the prolonged heat that has drained most of the water sources in the area.
Birungi Margret, a resident of Nabulembeko village, Nabulembeko Parish Wattuba Sub County, says the water crisis gripping their area.
“We are struggling to access water since most of the wells have dried up, and the EACOP officials have deployed machines that block rain water, making it tougher”, Birungi explained, seemingly worried.
The East African Crude oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a mega project intended to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oil fields to the ports of Tanga in Tanzania for export.
The project is a joint venture between total energies, the Uganda national oil company (UNOC), the Tanzania petroleum development corporation (TPDC) and the china national offshore oil company (CNOOC).
Over ten districts are being affected in Uganda and they include Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, Gomba, Mubende Llwengo, Ssembabule, Kyotera and Rakai.
STORY COMPILED BY JOANNE NTEZA
Communities affected by the East Africa Crude Pipeline, EACOP in Kiboga District in central Uganda are calling for more engagements with media practitioners about their plight.
Residents of Kibiga, Lwanda and Kimbejja villages in Kibiga Sub County say their engagements with Journalists of Community Green Radio have started attracting attention of stakeholders.
They Say their voices are heard far and while when they speak to the press.
Ssewanyana Charles of Lwanda Village says whenever their voices are heard over radio, leader usually call them for attention.
“Last month when our voices appeared on radio, our area councilor called us for a meeting”, Ssewanyana reported.
Ms. Sarah Nagirinya of Kimbejja says the voices of women can now go far and wide. Issues of rural women are starting to attraction and attention of leaders.
“There is growing recognition of the position of women and their contribution. As women, we are coming from far is matters relating to our position in society. There is even hope that we shall benefit from compensation of property affected by the EACOP”, Ms. Nagirinya narrated.
Community Green Radio, with support of partners, has been conducting community outreaches to capture salient issues affecting them, especially those affected by the EACOP.
There outreaches give an opportunity to communities to air their issues for amplification and generate attention for action from government and other stakeholders.
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.
Nakyanzi Madrine a resident of Kigoma village Kalagi Sub County in Kyankwanzi district has raised concerns over delayed compensation which has dragged on for four leaving them in limbo.
Nakyanzi says she was initially evaluated in 2021 with promises of payment within six months, but up-to-date no one has received compensation.
She expressed fear that some of them might miss out on the final compensation after some reports indicating that their counterparts in other districts have already been compensated.
Nakyanzi highlighted the hardships she has endured living in a makeshift house for four years due to restrictions on construction by EACOP officials. She has threatened legal action if compensation is not forthcoming.
She says many reports have been made to various authorities in the district but have seen little progress.
She called for fair compensation to cover the four years of waiting, arguing that their lives were disrupted by the project’s implementation.
Asuman Ssembatya, the parish chairperson for Nabulembeko Parish in Kyankwanzi district also the NRM secretary for Kyankwanzi said as a leader he has been following on community issues resulting from displacement arising out of the EACOP.
“We have started writing a petition and an MOU with all the affected PAPs in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi calling for President Museveni to intervene since all the local leaders have failed to help,” Ssembatya said.
Muhindo Brenda also a resident says none of the leaders in the district has help in her having the compensation since the rates were made.
“I have never received any help from the EACOP officials, i have moved from one office at the district level because it’s where i can stop but no one has given me attention. But i thank Community Green radio for standing with us because whenever the officials listen to the voice the come and talk to us giving promises,” Muhindo said.
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.
Community members affected by the East African Oil Crude Pipeline, EACOP in Kyankwanzi district central Uganda are preparing to petition President Yoweri Museveni over their concerns.These concerns range from delayed compensation, undervaluing of their property and cases of coercing during signing of compensation documents.
Mr. Museveni, who is also the chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement, NRM party, will be in Kyankwanzi on December 16 to canvass for votes for his re-election in the January 15 2026 presidential elections in Uganda.
Asuman Ssembatya, who is the NRM Party General Secretary in Kyankwanzi District, says local leaders have prepared a Memo that they will present to the president. He says issues affecting EACOP PAPs are part of the Memo.
“In our memo to the president, issues of people affected by EACOP are fully catered for. As a ruling party member and as a leader of the PAPs, I couldn’t let this opportunity pass without airing issues of my people”, Mr.Ssembatya asserted.
Mr. Ssembatya made the remarks while appearing on Community Green Radio show aimed at amplifying the voices of communities affected by the oil and gas infrastructure, the EACOP in particular.
Communities affected by the EACOP in Kyankwanzi are struggling to run families. Those who got compensation, it was insufficient to sustain them and those who are waiting for compensation are suffering since it has delayed.
Some affected people are so desperate and losing hope of getting their compensation.
Communities affected by oil and gas infrastructures are compensated after their properties are assessed and valued by government. Compensation rates are proposed and drafted by respective district local governments and approved by the chief government valuer. Affected communities have consistently complained of under valuation of their property and delay in compensation.
The EACOP, a USD 5 billion mega infrastructure project, will serve as a conduit for transporting Uganda’s crude oil from the Albertine Graben, starting at Kabaale in Hoima District, to Tanzania’s Tanga Port, where it will be shipped to international markets once completed.
According to the government of Uganda, as of 30th August last year, the EACOP had compensated 97% of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in the country.
Community Green Radio (CGR) has been giving a voice to the project affected persons, PAPs, to demand for their rights by amplifying their voices
There are increasing concerns over the increased cases and incidents of gender based violence associated with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project in Kiboga and Kyankwanzi districts in central Uganda.
Ms. Nakaweesi Juliet, a resident of Lwanda Village in Kiboga district says her relationship with the husband became sour after they were compensated.
“My husband disappeared after l repeatedly asked about the money, leaving me with so many responsibilities,” Nakaweesi told our reporter.
Ms. Nakaweesi says the grace cultivation period is almost over since construction of the pipeline is on and is worried of how she will feed the children.
“l tried to involve the local leaders about this matter, but l didn’t get the justice l hoped for,” she added.
64 year old Kunihira Edinasi, a resident of the same place says she is leaving in fear after her land title was taken by government.
Kunihira is also among those affected by EACOP and her land title was taken with a promise of a swift return, but the wait still continues.
The land title was taken to adjust the portion affected, but it’s now 4 years and still hasn’t been returned.
“I’m worried they might take all my land. I have always used my title as security to borrow money”, she explained.
Kunihira says she attempted to connect with the EACOP officials but sadly she hasn’t received any feedback yet.
She says the compensation she received back then was really minimal compared to the cost of living now since most of properties like a house, trees and other properties were undervalued.
“The government’s support has been quite lacking, leaving us feeling overlooked and uncertain about the whole process”, she added.
Like Nakaweesi and Kunihira, many more women are bearing the weight of taking care of families that they initially shared with their spouses.
Ms. Lydia Nanjere of Kigoma in Kyankwanzi district says she has now spent over a year as a sole family caretaker. He husband disappeared after receiving compensation.
“The day he got money is the last day I saw him. I last heard that he had married another woman in the trading center”, a seemingly depressed Nanjere narrated.
The women say their only hope is in the voice that they raise through the Community Green Radio. The radio has consistently amplified their voices far and wide. They have hope that well-wishers and government will come to their aid after listening to their repeated cries.
The women are appealing to government to quickly intervene and mediate for harmonious living.
COMPILED BY JOAN NTEZA
The residents of Lwabagoma Village, Gogonya Parish in Mubende District in Central Uganda have commended the National Association of Professional Environmentalists, NAPE for the organization’s support to their community particularly through bee keeping sensitization.
The residents made the remarks at the end of November when Mr. David Kureba, the NAPE’s Program Officer in Charge of Forests and Biodiversity made a visit to their area to train them on bee keeping. Mr. Kureba was accompanied by Mr. Basiima Jorum from Kiggaga Cell in oil rich Hoima District in Western Uganda. Mr. Basiima is a bee keeper who has specialized in training other bee keepers.
Mr.Basiima took the residents of Lwabagoma through key beekeeping techniques and how the community can harness the benefits of bee keeping.
“You have to select suitable locations for bee keeping, identifying prime areas for apiaries and the flora resources that support profitable bee keeping ventures”, Mr. Basiima explained to the attentive residents.
He also stressed the critical need for ensuring the safety and security of bee keepers and neighboring communities, highlighting the importance of responsible bee keeping practices and harmonious coexistence.
Mr. Katumba Julius, the area village chairperson and a prominent bee keeper expressed gratitude to NAPE for their tireless efforts in promoting beekeeping in the community.
He also emphasized the importance of putting the skills and knowledge gained into practice and appealed to community members to not only adopt beekeeping but also to teach and mentor others.
Mr. Kureba presented the community members with bee hives, symbolizing commitment to empowering local beekeeping initiatives.
STORY COMPILED BY JOANE NTEZA
Community Green Radio, through the National Association of Professional Environmentalists-NAPE has joined a partnership with other media Organizations, Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) and Diplo brief Kenya aimed at strengthening community media, digital safety and civic engagements ahead of the 2026 general elections in Uganda. The project was orfficially launched on Monday October 13 2025 in Gulu city and is supported by American Jewish World Service -AJWS.
“The community Green radio and NAPE will ensure that partners are acquitted with the legal and compliance requirements for media houses and civic society organization to ensure total compliance during and after elections. The Green radio will also broadcast civic education messages from partners to ensure that citizens front salient issues of environmental justice, land and human rights as campaign demands”, says Mr. Rajab Bwengye Yusufu, the NAPE Ag. Executive Director.
He thanked American Jewish World Service (AJWS), who were represented by Ms.Sheila Muwanga at the launch, for the support to the project. –Ms. Muwanga is the AJWS Uganda Country Representative.
Mr.Bwengye says the project has come as a timely response to the ever deteriorating media freedoms and civic liberties in Uganda calling it a right moment to beef up media digital safety, legal compliance and ensuring that the voice of the voiceless on issues of human and environmental rights abuse find space in the upcoming national election agendas in Uganda.
NAPE was represented at the launch by Kyamanywa Julius the Station Manager of the Community Green Radio.
Other partners in this project include Solidarity Uganda and Friends of Zoka.
The launch was president over by Mr. Onoria Ambrose, the Resident City Commissioner, RCC Gulu city.
Mr.Onoria appealed to partners for cooperation with government during the implementation and assured them of support.
“As government, we are ready to work with you for a free and fair election. We shall provide you with all the necessary support during the implementation”, the RCC stressed.
Mr. Alfred Oryem of NUMEC appealed to partners to try and implement what was stipulated in the project documents and as per the agreements signed. He noted that time has moved but called on partners to try and implement.
The project has five components that include Community Digital Ambassadors Program, Secure Media Hub at NUMEC, “Silent No More” Digital Campaign, Compliance and Amplification and Reporting Grants and Safety Support.
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