EU tasks government to tackle oil challenges

Posted on : Monday, 2nd November 2015

The European Union (EU) has requested Uganda to maximise opportunities and mitigate the negative impact of the oil and gas industry.

A delegation of ambassadors from European countries visited Hoima District on Monday and Tuesday where they interfaced with oil company officials, Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom officials, local communities and district officials.

“As EU, we are sorry for what happened to you. This is an example of what should not have happened,” EU head of delegation to Uganda Kristian Schmidt said on Tuesday while addressing more than 200 families that were in August 2014 evicted from a chunk of land in Rwamutonga village where a US firm wanted to set up an oil waste treatment facility.

“Today the NRM is conducting its primaries. Instead of your leaders fighting and rigging each other, they would be here fighting for your rights,” Mr Schmidt added.

The communities, who are temporarily living in makeshift structures on land donated by good Samaritans, asked the ambassadors to give them relief items and support them to attain justice.

“We have suffered injustice. The communities lack access to water, medication, housing, food and other neccesities,” Mr Aloysious Onzima, the Rwamutonga LCI chairman, said.