Uganda recently discovered oil. This has hit the headlines and increased expectations of the citizens, as oil is one of the valuable resources that can boost the country’s wealth. But where are the oil exploration activities taking place? These are located in the Albertine Rift. The Albertine Rift region is also recognized as a Biodiversity hotspot, which means it, is one of the most species rich eco-region in Africa consisting of birds, mammal, amphibian, plants and reptile species. The Albertine Rift harbors more endemic species than any region in Africa and also contains 79 threatened species of terrestrial vertebrates according to IUCN Red Data Book listings.
Given this great biodiversity, the Albertine Rift is the home of some of the most important Protected and Conservation Areas locally, regionally and internationally. It has about 70% of Uganda’s protected areas and therefore is very critical for biodiversity conservation. Some of these protected areas are internationally recognized. Those with international importance include Rwenzori and Bwindi National Park, as World Heritage Sites, Queen Elizabeth National Park, a Man and Biosphere Reserve; Lake George, a Ramsar site and a large number of lakes and other water bodies some of which feed into the River Nile system. The Albertine Rift region therefore is the epicenter of tourism in Uganda. Currently, tourism is Uganda’s biggest foreign exchange earner. Out of 22 protected areas, that are managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ten are believed to contain oil underneath.
Several Ugandans have expressed concern about oil exploration and production happening in the same areas where tourism is taking place. A study sponsored by UWA and carried out by Prof. Edward Rugumayo in February 2007 titled “Assessing the impacts of Oil and Energy developments and the appropriate mitigation measures for the Albertine rift in Uganda” concluded that the two activities can coexist. In order for this co-existence to happen, the responsible institutions need to put in place measures, which eliminate or minimise the negative impacts on the environment.
The study further identifies a need to apply good environmental practices and approaches that integrate energy and biodiversity activities. One of the good approaches includes directional drilling, which can be used to avoid sensitive areas like breeding areas and migratory routes. Some of the recommendations of the study which will ensure proper wildlife management in protected areas, which contain oil, were incorporated in the National Oil and Gas policy that is being developed.
Among the recommendations that are already being implemented is continuous monitoring by an interdisciplinary team of the oil exploration activity following a number of EIAs that have been conducted as required by law. An inter-sectoral environmental monitoring team has been put in place, which comprises representatives from the following government institutions.
Petroleum Exploration and Production Department
Uganda Wildlife Authority
National Environment Management Authority
National Forestry Authority
Directorate of Water Development
Fisheries Department.
Among its terms of reference, the team is expected to assess to which extent the companies are implementing the identified mitigation measures in the EIAs. It acts as a quality assurance watchdog for these companies.
The draft National Oil and Gas policy that is being developed identifies UWA as one of the key institutions that will be impacted by the petroleum exploration and production activities. UWA has therefore been involved in the consultations and will greatly benefit from the capacity building programs that are proposed in the policy. This will enable the organisation to monitor the oil and gas exploration and development activities and ensure that wildlife protected areas and the associated tourism activities are not negatively impacted upon.
