Court petitioned to block Murchison Falls oil exploration
Sep 16, 2014
The High Court in Kampala has been petitioned to block oil exploration by global energy giant Total in protected areas of Murchison Falls National Park.
By Andante Okanya
The High Court in Kampala has been petitioned to block oil exploration by global energy giant Total in protected areas of Murchison Falls National Park.
On August 28, a one Emmy Kiyemba, who describes himself as a human rights advocate, filed a civil suit at the High Court in Kampala against Uganda Wildlife Authority(UWA) and Total.
The energy giant has a license to undertake oil exploration activities in the Albertine Graben.The French owned energy giant has been conducting exploration activities in the area since last year.
Through Murungi, Kairu and Company Advocates, Kiyemba alleges that the oil exploration activities have adversely affected 176 farmers from Purongo sub-county in Nwoya district.
Kiyemba purports that UWA authorised Total to conduct illegal activities that resulted in the stray wildlife, particularly elephants destroying crops and gardens of the farmers.
“An order of permanent injunction restraining the second defendant(Total)from continuing with its oil exploration, exploitation, production, processing and any related activities in the wildlife protected areas,” the plaint reads in part.
Additionally, Kiyemba wants court to pronounce that Total’s activities are criminal, and that UWA’s conduct is an abuse of public trust, as it is expected to perform its statutory duty on behalf of Government.
Kiyemba is also demanding that court compels the defendants to seal the over 400 oil wells drilled until an appropriate wildlife management policy is enacted.
He laments that UWA’s purported incompetence has put wildlife at risk of death by angry residents, which is costly to the interests of Ugandans, as wildlife is a national heritage and pride.
Kiyemba states that each party bears its own costs, as it the case is filed in public interest.
Court has ordered the defendants to file their defences within 15 days from the date of receipt of the court summons.
In the summons dated September 9, 2014, signed by the civil division registrar Charles Emuria, they have been cautioned to heed, lest judgment is passed without their pleadings.
On Monday, when New Vision sought clarification from a member of UWA legal team Mongea Chemonges, on whether the authority had been served the court papers, he confirmed receipt, and said UWA's response was being prepared.
"It is true we have received the court summons, and are preparing our defence,"Chemonges said.
Also on Monday, Total's Communications Coordinator Anita Kayongo confirmed to New Vision that Total's legal team had received summons in relation to the suit. She said preparations for their defencewas underway.
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