Environmental groups are raising urgent concerns about Uganda’s preparedness to protect Lake Albert from potential oil pollution as petroleum operations expand in the region. Despite government assurances that adequate safeguards are in place, a new report by Environmental Defenders warns that current mitigation efforts may be insufficient to prevent ecological disaster.
The conservation organization’s findings highlight alarming gaps in environmental protection around the Tilenga and Kingfisher oil project areas. The report documents increasing biodiversity loss, oil spills, and groundwater contamination in the Albertine region, with oil facilities being constructed directly on Lake Albert’s shores without proper environmental safeguards.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for local communities. In neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo alone, approximately 100,000 households depend on Lake Albert for their water supply, while over 20,000 people rely on the lake for fishing. A major oil spill could devastate these communities’ livelihoods and access to clean water.
Adding to these concerns, E-Tech International has criticized the petroleum companies for prioritizing profit over environmental protection by using cheaper, less environmentally-friendly technologies. With 10 well pads and 181 kilometers of infrastructure planned for the region, environmentalists argue that Uganda must significantly strengthen its environmental oversight and require more robust pollution prevention measures before oil development proceeds further. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between economic development and environmental protection in one of Africa’s most ecologically important freshwater systems.