Hundreds of Balaalo pastoralists who were forcibly evicted from their land in Buliisa District in 2010 to pave the way for Uganda’s oil developments say they are still waiting for compensation 16 years later.
According to reports, many of the affected families claim they have yet to receive compensation despite losing land and livelihoods during the eviction exercise.
One of the affected residents, Enos Mubangizi, recalled being awakened early one morning in December 2010 by the presence of heavily armed security personnel.
Mubangizi said soldiers and police officers arrived at around 5:00 a.m. and began rounding up cattle from his family’s kraals and those of neighbouring pastoralists as part of the eviction operation.
The displaced families say they have remained excluded from the economic opportunities emerging from Uganda’s oil industry, despite surrendering land that now forms part of the country’s oil development areas.
Their concerns come as Uganda prepares to begin commercial oil production, with major infrastructure projects nearing completion.
The affected pastoralists continue to call on the government to fulfil its compensation commitments and address their long-standing grievances over the evictions and loss of property.
Also Read: Three Police Officers Arrested Over Gomba Shooting Incident
