Under the Oil Justice, Gender, and Human Rights thematic area, CSCO seeks to promote local participation, increasing gender balance, and the protection of human rights of people affected by oil and gas operations. There is the need to uphold, protect and promote human rights in the extractive context. Land compensation and resettlement practices continue to be guided by an inadequate framework. The process for developing the land acquisition and resettlement policy stalled. In the meantime, a prudent review would raise new questions such as the unnecessary acquisition that is causing distress and making communities destitute in their own country, yet the oil and gas resource is finite. There are emerging thoughts that communities could offer their land on other terms such as; receive disturbance payments, equity in the investment deriving from a 25+ year lease of the land, and re-occupy their land after decommissioning. Therefore, a new conversation on rights, equity and sustainability is needed to develop knowledge and alternative positions towards securing land rights. CSCO needs to bring forward evidence-based options to facilitate this conversation. Gender integration and promotion of women’s rights remains inadequate although some indications of inclusion have been evident in processes of prior information to PAPs.
One strategic intervention towards strengthening Uganda’s economy is through creating opportunities for gainful employment. While development of the oil and gas sector has created opportunities for employment both directly and indirectly, participation in provision of goods and services by local citizens and indigenous entities is still a constraint. A national supplier database was established to streamline sourcing of suppliers but still has features that constrain local participation. The National Local Content law was passed by Parliament in April 2022 to facilitate implementation of local content. In the meantime, accessibility to primary level jobs are very minimal but the bulk of jobs will be at secondary level though the capacity and ability to navigate requirements are still obstacles to access.
The human rights performance of state agencies reflects impunity that requires wider mobilization of support to bring perpetrators to book and enable rights-holders access justice. CSCO is therefore interested in participating in the Universal Periodic Review to ensure human rights are amplified at a trans-national level and attract due state response.