Responsible tourism in Uganda

Licence to drill

Up to 2.5 billion barrels of oil have recently been discovered along Uganda’s western border – much of it right under Uganda’s oldest and largest national park: Murchison Falls. By the end of 2014, some 80 wells had been drilled there, generating around 60,000 tons of waste – although it is anticipated that there will be 600 wells in total. The adequate disposal of this waste, the risk of devastating oil spills and the impacts of the drilling and seismic testing on the region’s wildlife is a huge concern.

Worryingly, the oil deposits are known to stretch as far south as UNESCO-protected Lake Edward, cutting right though Uganda’s most fertile and wildlife-rich Rift Valley regions – including Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lake is bisected by the border with the DR Congo and on its western shore lies Congo's Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest national park and its most biodiverse. Virunga is also home to mountain gorillas. Following immense global pressure from conservationists and NGOs, Soco, the oil company granted the drilling concession in Lake Edward, pulled out in 2015, but the Ugandan and Congolese governments still want to pursue the oil extraction, despite the threats to the lake itself, the surrounding ecosystems and communities. According to Oil in Uganda, “an estimated 200,000 fishermen and local people depend on Lake Edward for their livelihoods. Any oil activities in this area could do significant damage on the lake, the broader ecosystem and people and animals that depend on it.”

There are mixed views on the discovery of oil. On one hand, the rapid injection of cash along with the infrastructure, such as new roads, which have accompanied the arrival of the oil companies, are much needed – especially around Murchison Falls. This is one of Uganda’s poorest regions; ravaged by civil war, as well as by drought, residents struggle to harvest crops and many still live in thatched-roofed mud huts, with no electricity or running water. But it is questionable how much money will actually reach those who need it most – especially as, having never had an oil industry before, Uganda lacks qualified engineers, scientists and technicians to work on the extraction and testing. Shipping in workers would cause enormous local tensions and heap pressure on the already struggling population. In addition, the ethics of the interested oil companies are highly questionable. An investigation by Global Witness revealed evidence of huge bribes paid to a corrupt Congolese military officer, who went on to threaten and even kill activists opposed to exploration by the oil company. Watch the excellent investigative documentary Virunga to learn more.

What you can do
There are a number of international organisations who are investigating, campaigning and lobbying for the oil under these precious ecosystems to remain in the ground. Share these campaigns, sign petitions and donate to organisations such as Global Witness and WWF. And of course, if you are lucky enough to be able to visit Uganda or the DR Congo, visit these incredible national parks to demonstrate to the governments how much more valuable they are while intact.

Paul Callcutt, from our supplier Natural World Safaris:
“Responsible tourism holds the key to improving the situation for the Batwa people and responsible local lodges like Mt Gahinga Lodge has a trust to aid the Batwa people. It has been used to purchase land for pastoral purposes allowing them a dignified lifestyle that, while still somewhat alien to their traditional lifestyle, is a huge step forward from when they were initially displaced and left to fend for themselves with little or no support.”