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Social Impacts of Land Acquisition for Oil and Gas Development in Uganda

Author

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  • Tom Ogwang

    (Urban and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700AV Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Frank Vanclay

    (Urban and Regional Studies Institute, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, 9700AV Groningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Uganda’s oil and gas sector has transitioned from the exploration phase to the development phase in preparation for oil production (the operations phase). The extraction, processing, and distribution of oil require a great deal of infrastructure, which demands considerable acquisition of land from communities surrounding project sites. Here, we examine the social impacts of project land acquisition associated with oil production in the Albertine Graben region of Uganda. We specifically consider five major oil related projects that have or will displace people, and we discuss the consequences of this actual or future displacement on the lives and livelihoods of local people. The projects are: Tilenga; Kingfisher; the East African Crude Oil Pipeline; the Kabaale Industrial Park; and the Hoima–Kampala Petroleum Products Pipeline. Our findings reveal both positive and negative outcomes for local communities. People with qualifications have benefited or will benefit from the job opportunities arising from the projects and from the much-needed infrastructure (i.e., roads, health centres, airport) that has been or will be built. However, many people have been displaced, causing food insecurity, the disintegration of social and cultural cohesion, and reduced access to social services. The influx of immigrants has increased tensions because of increasing competition for jobs. Crime and social issues such as prostitution have also increased and are expected to increase.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom Ogwang & Frank Vanclay, 2019. "Social Impacts of Land Acquisition for Oil and Gas Development in Uganda," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:8:y:2019:i:7:p:109-:d:246589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Caroline Aboda & Pål Olav Vedeld & Patrick Byakagaba & Haakon Lein & Charlotte Anne Nakakaawa, 2023. "Household capacity to adapt to resettlement due to land acquisition for the oil refinery development project in Uganda," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13125-13147, November.
    2. Zhongcheng Yan & Feng Wei & Xin Deng & Chuan Li & Yanbin Qi, 2021. "Does Land Expropriation Experience Increase Farmers’ Farmland Value Expectations? Empirical Evidence from the People’s Republic of China," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Yanda, Pius Z. & Gwambene, Brown & Mwajombe, Anselm R., 2024. "The influence of natural gas investments on coastal livelihoods in Lindi Region, Tanzania," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Ameyaw, Prince Donkor & de Vries, Walter Timo, 2023. "Blockchain technology adaptation for land administration services: The importance of socio-cultural elements," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    5. Tom Ogwang & Frank Vanclay, 2021. "Resource-Financed Infrastructure: Thoughts on Four Chinese-Financed Projects in Uganda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.

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