Oil pipeline project

Oil vs environment: Wildlife displaced by oil projects in Buliisa

by · The Observer

Uganda’s oil and gas industry is advancing, but its development in the green belts of the Albertine graben has sparked environmental concerns.

The Observer has learned that oil exploration and drilling in the Kingfisher and Tilenga projects, located in Kikuube and Buliisa districts, have disrupted migratory pathways and habitats for wildlife in the region. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project site in Kikuube was once home to snakes, antelopes and other animals.

Similarly, the Tilenga project, situated within Murchison Falls national park, is a critical sanctuary for elephants, antelopes, chimpanzees and the endangered shoebill stork. Fishermen around Lake Albert, near the Kingfisher project, report that breeding grounds have been affected, forcing fish to migrate to other areas.

Uganda has worked to ensure the sustainable development of its oil resources since the 2006 discovery of oil. Measures like the National Oil and Gas Policy (2008) and strategic environmental assessments (2013) aim to mitigate the environmental and social effects of oil activities.

However, oil spills, drilling byproducts, and infrastructure expansion continue to threaten ecosystems. To address these risks, the government has sanctioned detailed environmental and social impact assessments for projects such as EACOP. Vincent Birungi, an environmentalist with the EACOP project, highlighted ongoing efforts to mitigate environmental damage.

“We follow a mitigation hierarchy: avoiding impacts where possible, minimizing those we can’t avoid, and offsetting residual damage,” he said.

Birungi explained that wildlife encountered during development is relocated to Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve to prevent harm.

“We’ve handled animals like night adders, Boomslang snakes and other species, ensuring they’re safely translocated instead of releasing them into communities,” he added.

INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTE

As Uganda gears up for its first oil production in 2025, critical infrastructure such as central processing facilities—responsible for separating oil, gas and water—is being constructed. Efforts are also underway to minimize waste, with projects tracking their waste from generation to disposal sites like Luwero Industries.

Birungi emphasized that contractors conduct ecological surveys before starting operations to minimize biodiversity impacts.

“If a habitat needs more time for species to hatch, mature, or reproduce, we delay work to protect them,” he noted.

While the government and developers stress their commitment to international environmental standards, concerns remain about the long-term impact of Uganda’s oil and gas projects on the region’s biodiversity. As oil development progresses, the challenge will be balancing economic benefits with the preservation of the Albertine graben’s rich ecosystems.

Stakeholders are also addressing the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation. These projects, including the Kingfisher and Tilenga developments, involve drilling dozens of wells, with operations impacting both ecosystems and local communities.

Bashir Hangi, Uganda Wildlife Authority’s (UWA) head of Communication, acknowledged the disruption caused to wildlife in areas near development sites.  He noted that while some animals have fled due to noise and human activity, UWA has established measures, including low-noise generators and strict development guidelines, to mitigate these impacts.

“Animals fear continuous movement and noise, but we expect them to return once the developments are complete,” he said.

INNOVATIONS

Environmental concerns surrounding oil spills and waste management have prompted the adoption of advanced technologies. The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) emphasized horizontal drilling to minimize surface disruption, with well pads designed to drill multiple wells from a single site. Drilled waste is managed through sophisticated facilities, such as the HBP Waste Management Facility, which processes both solid and liquid waste to prevent environmental contamination.

“All solid waste contaminated with oil undergoes thermodesorption at 600 degrees Celsius to separate oil and water, leaving inert solids that are safely stored in engineered landfills,” explained Andrew Miwanda, a landfill engineer.

Efforts are also underway to explore the repurposing of treated waste in collaboration with researchers and institutions, aiming for sustainable solutions that minimize the need for additional landfills.

NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION

To reduce the impact on local communities and ecosystems, oil projects have incorporated soundproof generators and yellow lighting, which are less disruptive to both humans and wildlife.

At the Kingfisher project, junior engineer Anita Komugisha highlighted the use of silent generators and air filtration systems that minimize both noise and emissions.

“We are committed to ensuring our operations do not disturb the community or the environment,” she said.

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