Proposed oil production along Uganda’s Lake Albert has unleashed a wave of suffering for local communities, including forced displacement and violence, according to a U.S. climate watchdog.
On Monday, Climate Rights International released a report detailing these abuses, urging financial institutions to cease funding the controversial Kingfisher oil development project spearheaded by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
The report highlights severe human rights violations tied to the project, one of two linked to a proposed heated pipeline that would transport Uganda’s oil to Tanzania’s port.
It claims locals who once relied on the shoreline for their livelihood are being drastically impacted by the Kingfisher’s central processing facility.
CNOOC committed to significant investments to the project, which included building infrastructure like roads, drilling wells, and establishing its HQ.
Based on interviews with dozens of affected residents, the report outlines a disturbing pattern of forced evictions, lack of compensation, intimidation, …