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Buliisa, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Over 800 Tilenga Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) 2-5 in Buliisa, Hoima, and Kikuube districts have received income-generating starter packs, company officials said at an event held at Kibambura playground in Buliisa district on Oct.15 to commemorate the conclusion of the land acquisition, resettlement activities.
Speaking on behalf of TotalEnergies, Mariam Nampeera -Mbowa, the deputy general manager said, “To date, 5,553 (99.5%) PAPs, including 235 physically resettled PAPs, have been fully compensated in compliance with national laws and international standards.”
TotalEnergies EP Uganda has provided transitional support and livelihood restoration initiatives to PAPs, designed to restore and enhance their livelihoods.
Through these initiatives, PAPs have received agricultural inputs and support services for three years to improve their production and income.
Additionally, they have benefitted from financial management, business capacity and vocational training.
Nampeera added, “Sustainability is at the heart of our strategy and operations with the wellbeing of communities as a key pillar. We closely monitor and evaluate their progress to ensure they are supported to fortify their household food security and income diversification through skills development and entrepreneurship.”
On the same day, vocational training beneficiaries received income- generating starter packs for various vocations including electrical installation, auto mechanics, construction, plumbing, hairdressing, catering, and computer skills.
The event was officiated by Phiona Nyamutoro, the minister of state for minerals, who also formally handed over the final batch of resettlement houses and land titles. With this, all physically displaced PAPs have been provided with resettlement houses and titles to them, according to the oil company officials.
Nyamutoro said, “The provision of startup kits alongside the resettlement houses symbolizes the government and TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s dedication to restoring livelihoods and empowering communities. These kits include essential resources that will help the families kick-start new economic activities, supporting their long-term self-sufficiency. Our approach to resettlement is underpinned by our broader commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
She added that the handover is just one step in a broader journey of ensuring that the communities around the Tilenga project are not left behind but are integral beneficiaries of this resource development.
The Tilenga Project Land Acquisition, Livelihood Restoration, and Resettlement Housing Programmes are designed and implemented in line with national and international laws, policies, and guidelines, such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards (PS) 5 which focuses on land acquisition and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1).
Individuals around the Buliisa area who interacted with The Independent expressed optimism that the project will impact them further beyond the houses and other support services offered so far once they are engaged continuously.
The minister of state for economic monitoring Beatrice Akori Akello and the Presidential Advisor on oil and gas and former permanent secretary at the Ministry of energy and Mineral Development Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa attended the half-day event.
