Oil Exploration and
Environmental Impacts Around Pakwach and Nwoya
Executive Summary
T he districts of Pakwach and Nwoya
in northern Uganda sit at the epicenter of one of Africa's most ambitious—and
controversial—oil development projects. As part of the Tilenga Project operated
by TotalEnergies, these communities now find themselves navigating the complex
intersection of economic opportunity and environmental degradation. This
investigative research examines the multifaceted impacts of oil exploration in
the EA1 Pakwach Basin, utilizing geospatial data, environmental assessments,
and community testimonies to reveal the true cost of Uganda's oil ambitions.
Geographic Context and Coordinates
Pakwach District
Coordinates: 2°27'25.79"N, 31°29'32.39"E (Decimal: 2.4572°N,
31.4923°E)
Pakwach is strategically located in
Northern Uganda along the Albert Nile, approximately 100 kilometers northwest
of Gulu. The town serves as a critical transit point connecting northern Uganda
to West Nile and serves as one of the primary host communities for oil
exploration activities.
Nwoya District
Coordinates: 2°38'06.0"N, 32°00'00.0"E (Decimal: 2.6350°N,
32.0000°E) Area: 4,170.6 square kilometers Geographic Boundaries:
Longitude 31-32°E, Latitude 2-3°N Elevation: 990 meters (3,250 feet)
above sea level
Nwoya District, carved out of Amuru
District in 2010, encompasses significant portions of the Murchison Falls
National Park and serves as the northern anchor of the Tilenga Project. The
district is bordered by Omoro and Oyam districts to the east and shares its
western boundary with the oil-rich Albertine Graben.
The Albertine Graben Region
The Albertine Graben is part of the
western branch of the East African Rift Valley, extending approximately 500
kilometers from Lake Albert northward. This geological formation contains an
estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil, with 1.4 billion barrels considered
commercially recoverable. The region's unique tectonic characteristics created
the perfect conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation over millions of years.
The Tilenga Project: Scope and Scale
Project Overview
The Tilenga Project represents the
development of six oil fields within Contract Area CA-1, License Area LA-2
(North), and Exploration Area EA-1A in the Albertine Graben. TotalEnergies
E&P Uganda B.V., in partnership with China National Offshore Oil
Corporation (CNOOC) and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), is developing this
massive undertaking.
Key Project Statistics:
- Total Wells Planned:
426 producer and injector wells across 31 well pads
- Wells Completed (as of April 2025): 63 wells across 6 well pads
- Project Area:
Spans both north and south of the Nile River in Nwoya and Buliisa
districts
- Inside Murchison Falls National Park: 10 well pads
- Expected Production:
190,000-200,000 barrels per day
- Project Timeline:
25-30 years
- Total Investment:
Approximately $10 billion (part of $20 billion Lake Albert Development
Project)
Geographic Distribution of Oil
Fields
The Tilenga Project encompasses
several named oil fields:
- Jobi-Rii Fields
(Nwoya District): Located north of the Nile
- Gunya Field
(Nwoya District)
- Ngiri Field
(Pakwach Basin - EA1)
- Mpyo Field
(Pakwach Basin)
- Additional fields in Buliisa District: Kasemene, Kigogole, Ngara, Nsoga, Ngege, Wahrindi,
Waraga, Nzizi
Infrastructure Development
The project includes extensive
infrastructure:
- Central Processing Facility (CPF): Located at Kasenyi for oil separation and treatment
- Industrial Area:
Supporting facilities and camps
- Buried Pipelines:
Underground infield pipelines and flowlines
- River Nile Crossing:
Horizontal directional drilling beneath the Nile River bed
- Northern Pipeline:
96 kilometers with 16-inch diameter carrying oil from Jobi (Nwoya) to the
refinery
- Access Roads:
Extensive network connecting well pads and facilities
- Worker Accommodations: Multiple camps housing thousands of workers
Historical Context: The Pakwach
Basin Discovery
Early Exploration (2006-2009)
Heritage Oil, a Calgary-based
international exploration firm, pioneered oil exploration in the EA1 Pakwach
Basin beginning in 2006. Between 2006 and 2009, Heritage discovered oil and gas
in multiple wells including:
- Ngiri-1
(2006)
- Jobi-1
(2006)
- Rii-1
(2006)
- Ngiri-2
(2007)
- Mpyo-1
(2007)
These discoveries confirmed the
Pakwach Basin as one of the most significant oil-bearing formations in Uganda,
establishing the foundation for what would become the Tilenga Project.
The Douglas Oluoch Case: A
Cautionary Tale
In 2009, Heritage Oil needed a site
to dump thousands of tons of oil waste from exploration activities in the
Pakwach Basin. The company approached Douglas Oluoch, a peasant farmer in Gwot
Apwoyo, Purongo Sub-County, Nwoya District, offering him approximately $375
(UGX 750,000) to dump solid waste on his land.
Oluoch accepted, unaware of the
environmental and social consequences. When environmental protection
organizations exposed the dangers, Oluoch became ostracized in his
community—village-mates refused to buy his farm produce. At the time, Uganda
lacked guidelines for oil and gas operations waste management, which wouldn't
come until 2012.
The toxic waste sat on Oluoch's land
until November 2014, when Total E&P Uganda became the first oil company to
contract EnviroServ to clean up the mess in Purongo. Tests eventually declared
the farmland clean and safe, with Total undertaking rehabilitation efforts.
This case exemplifies the environmental risks faced by communities in Pakwach
and Nwoya during early exploration phases.
Current
Employment and Economic Impact
Local Employment Statistics
As of October 2024, the Tilenga
Project has generated significant employment:
- Total Ugandan Workforce: 10,571 employees (99.3% of total workforce)
- From Host Communities: 3,719 individuals (35% of Ugandan workforce) from
Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Hoima, Masindi, and Kikuube districts
- Women Workers:
16% of Ugandan workforce
- Trained and Certified: Over 14,000 individuals in various oil and gas sectors
- International Experience: 13 Ugandans working with TotalEnergies affiliates
worldwide
Infrastructure Development
The oil discovery has catalyzed road
construction in the region. New asphalt roads now connect previously isolated
communities, with the Hoima-Kaiso-Tonya Road serving as a primary artery.
However, this infrastructure primarily serves industrial needs rather than
community development.
Agricultural Market Challenges
Despite promises of economic
opportunities, farmers in Pakwach, Nwoya, and neighboring districts report lack
of markets for agricultural produce. At a July 2025 TotalEnergies Agri-Business
Forum in Buliisa, farmers expressed frustration that oil sector demand remains
limited and many cannot meet quality standards required for supply contracts.
Environmental Impacts: A
Comprehensive Assessment
1. Wildlife Disturbance and
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Elephant Migration and Human
Casualties
Between the start of drilling
operations in 2023 and April 2024, five people were killed by elephants moving
outside Murchison Falls National Park into Buliisa District. According to the
Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), noise pollution from drilling
operations is driving animals out of the park.
Research by the Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS), commissioned by TotalEnergies, discovered that
seismic activities and drilling had significant negative impacts on large
mammals, with many species moving up to one kilometer away from drilling sites.
This displacement forces wildlife into human-populated areas, creating
dangerous conflicts.
Key Wildlife Impacts:
- Vibrations from drilling rigs disturb elephants
- Increased light pollution affecting nocturnal species
- Paved roads through the park increasing traffic and
wildlife fatalities
- Transformation of wilderness areas into industrial
zones
- Threats to 76 mammal species and over 450 bird species
Tourism stakeholders surveyed
between February and July 2025 identified the oil and gas sector as accounting
for 61.3% of key risks to the tourism industry, with construction of oil
infrastructure in protected areas, biodiversity destruction, and increased
poaching as primary concerns.
2. Threats to the Murchison Falls-Albert
Delta Ramsar Site
The Murchison Falls-Albert Delta
Wetland System is a Ramsar Site of international importance, serving as a
critical spawning habitat for Lake Albert fisheries. Two of the ten well pads
inside Murchison Falls National Park are positioned dangerously close to this
wetland.
Ramsar Site Coordinates and
Features: The Nile Delta splits into more
than 50 channels near the park, with channels leading to Lake Albert near
Wanseko (south) or Panyimur in Nebbi District (north). This delta is home to
endangered species including the shoebill stork and gray-crowned cranes.
Environmental Risks:
- Pollution from the Victoria Nile Pipeline Crossing
threatens fish spawning grounds
- Destruction of habitat for vulnerable and endangered
bird species
- Contamination of wetlands affecting aquatic
biodiversity and hippos
- Chemical-based drilling mud contaminating water sources
3. Lake Albert Water Quality and
Fishing Industries
Lake Albert, Uganda's second-largest
lake, produces more than 40% of Uganda's annual fish catch, providing food and
livelihoods for thousands. The lake contributes 30% of Uganda's total fish
stocks. However, oil activities pose severe threats to this ecosystem.
Lake Albert Specifications:
- Part of the Nile River system
- Shared between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo
- Critical water source for millions of people in East
Africa
- Home to tilapia, catfish, lungfish, and mudfish species
Pollution Concerns: Alice Kazimura, Executive Director of Kakindo Integrated
Women Development Agency (KAWIDA), reports: "We keep wondering why fish
have reduced when oil activities are in high gear." Community members fear
that oil wells near the lake are contributing to fish scarcity.
Environmental Defenders' 2025 report
warns that oil facilities on Lake Albert's shores lack adequate investment in
mitigation measures for spills, waste disposal, and water overuse. The report
documents:
- Destruction of biodiversity
- Pollution of underground waters
- Risk of hydrocarbon-contaminated drainage reaching
waterways
- Absence of sound disposal systems for water, sewerage,
and drilling debris
4. Oil Spill Risks and Preparedness
The Kibiro Incident (April 2020)
On April 4, 2020, an explosion
occurred at a geothermal exploration hole in Kigorobya Sub-County, Hoima
District, near Lake Albert. Residents feared an oil spill—one of the worst
accidents possible in oil-rich areas. Water reeds along the lakeshore developed
black deposits resembling crude oil extending kilometers away.
While the Ministry of Energy and
Mineral Development downplayed the incident as primarily sand, water, and clay
rather than crude oil, the event raised serious questions about Uganda's
preparedness for oil spill management.
Spill Risk Factors:
- East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) crosses more
than 200 rivers
- Pipeline traverses active seismic zones experiencing
regular earthquakes
- Additional risks from erosion, accidental damage, and
poor maintenance
- Heated pipeline (50°C) increases complexity of spill
response
- Uganda's waxy crude (40°C pour point) solidifies at
surface temperature
An independent Dutch assessment
found that EACOP environmental assessments were "unquestioning" on
environmental issues and the pipeline was "not fit for purpose." WWF
Uganda warned in 2017 that the pipeline "is likely to lead to significant
disturbance, fragmentation and increased poaching within important biodiversity
and natural habitats."
5. Air Quality and Climate Concerns
Current Impacts:
- Dust pollution from construction and heavy vehicle
traffic
- Noise pollution from drilling operations
- Light pollution affecting nocturnal ecosystems
- Visual pollution transforming wilderness into
industrial landscapes
Climate Change Implications: Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) have
been criticized for using climate data from inappropriate sources. Civil
society organizations noted that climate data used in the Tilenga ESIA came
from Bugoma, Kisinja, and Mbegu—different climatological zones—rather than from
Butiaba and Pakwach weather stations in Buliisa or Nwoya districts.
Once production begins, the project
is expected to double Uganda and Tanzania's combined annual carbon emissions,
contradicting global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
6. Waste Management and Soil Contamination
Expected Waste Production:
- Exploration Phase:
Tens of thousands of tons generated from approximately 80 wells drilled
- Production Phase:
Approximately 300,000 tons of drill waste expected
- Composition:
Mud, rock, and chemical additives used in drilling
Waste Management Infrastructure: Uganda's first Exploration and Production (E&P) oil
waste management facility opened in April 2015 at Nyamasoga village, Buseruka
Sub-County, Hoima District—approximately 200 kilometers from Purongo, Nwoya
District. The $20 million facility, operated by EnviroServ Waste Management Ltd
and Green Albertine Ltd, has capacity for 20 years of waste treatment.
However, communities in Pakwach and
Nwoya remain vulnerable to inadequate waste disposal, as demonstrated by the
Douglas Oluoch case.
Water Resource Extraction and Usage
The Tilenga Project requires
substantial water resources for drilling, processing, and operations.
TotalEnergies has developed a water abstraction system to extract water from
Lake Albert to meet oil well needs. This creates additional stress on:
- Lake Albert's ecosystem
- Fishing communities dependent on the lake
- Downstream communities along the Nile River system
- Wetland ecosystems
The combined network of pipelines
totals approximately 180,000 kilometers when including oil pipelines, water
systems, and related infrastructure.
Social and Human Rights Impacts
1. Land Acquisition and Displacement
The Tilenga Land Acquisition and
Resettlement process affects thousands of Project-Affected Persons (PAPs). By
June 2023, TotalEnergies had begun delivering new homes to displaced
communities in Hoima, Buliisa, and Kikuube districts, though compensation
issues persist in Nwoya and Pakwach.
Major Concerns Documented by Uganda
Human Rights Commission (2013):
- Inadequate compensation rates in Hoima, Buliisa, Nebbi,
Nwoya, and Amuru districts
- Land expropriation before compensation finalization
(particularly in Nebbi)
- Limited consultation and participation of affected
communities in decision-making
- Lack of respect for the right to participation
2. Stakeholder Engagement Failures
Jennifer Oweka, Pakwach District
Environment Officer, identified critical gaps in the environmental and social
management plan: "Normally, when we do stakeholder engagement, we are able
to hear from the community to find out what their worries and concerns are so
that we can recommend what suits their interest but this was not done by
Total."
In November 2018, Citizens Concern
Africa (CICOA) trained over 1,950 community members and local leaders in
Buliisa, Nwoya, and Pakwach districts to understand the Tilenga ESIA report.
Land rights emerged as the major issue raised by community members.
3. Threats to Environmental Human
Rights Defenders
Environmental human rights defenders
in Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, and neighboring districts face attacks,
intimidation, and threats for opposing:
- Land grabbing
- Oil and gas exploration activities
- Large-scale development projects
Indigenous communities and ethnic
minorities are particularly vulnerable due to:
- Lack of formal land titles
- High poverty and illiteracy rates
- Limited access to justice
- Insufficient legal protections
4. Loss of Traditional Livelihoods
Communities historically dependent
on fishing, farming, and forest-based livelihoods now face:
- Displacement from ancestral lands
- Pollution threatening agricultural productivity
- Land tenure insecurity
- Marginalization by private conservancies and commercial
agriculture
- Competition from oil sector for land and resources
Legal and Regulatory Framework
1. Environmental Approvals and
Controversies
On April 15, 2019, the National
Environment Management Authority (NEMA) granted a certificate of approval for
the Tilenga Project ESIA covering oil exploration areas 1 and 2 between Nwoya
and Buliisa districts. However, civil society organizations filed suit in May
2019 challenging the approval on grounds of:
- Procedural irregularities
- Abuse of rules of natural justice during public
hearings
- Conflict of interest: Dr. Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa
presided over public hearings despite being former Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Energy and current Senior Presidential Adviser on Oil and
Gas
Despite these legal challenges, NEMA
Executive Director Tom Okurut declared the certificate "a final document
that cannot be revoked."
2. Uganda Wildlife Act and Protected
Areas
The Uganda Wildlife Act (2019)
allows oil and gas exploration within protected areas provided impacts are
mitigated through habitat restoration. This provision enabled drilling in
Murchison Falls National Park, despite it being Uganda's largest and
most-visited protected area.
TotalEnergies claims to limit its
footprint to less than 1% of the park's surface area and promises to:
- Support 50% increase in park rangers
- Fund rhinoceros reintroduction programs
- Work with IUCN experts on chimpanzee conservation
However, critics argue these
measures are insufficient to offset the fundamental incompatibility of
industrial oil extraction within a protected wilderness area.
3. Waste Management Regulations
Uganda did not have guidelines for
oil and gas operations waste management until NEMA issued them in 2012. Even
then, implementation remained theoretical until the 2015 opening of the
EnviroServ facility. This regulatory gap left communities like Purongo in Nwoya
District vulnerable to toxic waste dumping during early exploration phases.
Recent Developments and Current
Status
Drilling Progress (March-April 2025)
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda
(PAU) conducted a three-day inspection (March 5-7, 2025) of drilling activities
north of the Nile, including:
- JobiRii (JBR) 02 well pad: Operational drilling
- JBR05, JBR09, JBR10 well pads: Civil works in progress
- Nile Crossing Site:
Restoration efforts underway
- Pakwach Sub-county:
Community livelihood restoration projects
Production Timeline
Despite earlier projections for
2022-2024 commencement, oil production is now expected to begin in 2026. The
project aims to reach cumulative plateau production of 230,000 barrels per day
from combined Tilenga and Kingfisher projects.
Scholarship and Community Programs
TotalEnergies celebrated 10 years of
its local scholarship program in 2023, having benefited over 270 students from
Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Masindi, and Nebbi districts. Students receive support
for O-level and A-level education with emphasis on science subjects.
Comparative Context: Global Oil
Exploration in Protected Areas
The Tilenga Project would be the
first oil project within a protected area in East Africa. While similar
controversies have emerged in other regions—notably in Virunga National Park in
the Democratic Republic of Congo—the Murchison Falls development has progressed
with less international opposition.
Sources suggest this is partly
because:
- Uganda's wildlife law explicitly allows oil exploration
in protected areas
- TotalEnergies engaged conservation groups early in the
process
- International attention focused on other African oil
controversies
Mitigation Measures and Technology
Deployment
TotalEnergies' Claimed Measures
Silent Drilling Technology: Specially designed rigs operate with minimal noise to
reduce disturbance to elephants, lions, and bird species in Murchison Falls
National Park.
Lighting Management:
- Warm-colored, low-glare lights directed inward within
well pads
- Prevention of light dispersion to protect nocturnal
wildlife
- All equipment painted in ochre-yellow tones blending
with landscape
Horizontal Directional Drilling: Underground pipelines and flowlines crossing the Nile River
using horizontal drilling to minimize surface disruption.
Biodiversity Avoidance Maps: Development of avoidance maps identifying key biodiversity
features to guide infrastructure placement.
Restoration Commitments: Immediate restoration of areas after drilling activities,
including planting native vegetation.
Critical Assessment of Mitigation
Effectiveness
Despite these measures, independent
assessments reveal significant shortcomings:
AFIEGO's 2024 Monitoring:
- Noise and vibration impacts remain significant
- Light pollution documented at drilling sites
- Wildlife displacement continues
- Restoration efforts incomplete
Tourism Sector Concerns: Survey respondents noted that paved roads and motorized
traffic have "changed the feel of the park" from a nature reserve to
an industrial area, with 32% of Uganda's national park visitors choosing
Murchison Falls in 2024.
Environmental Defenders' 2025
Report: "Installation of oil
facilities on the shores of Lake Albert without adequate investment in
mitigation measures for the Tilenga and Kingfisher areas pose major threats to
the environment, water and health of communities around the lake."
Geospatial Analysis and Monitoring
Satellite Imagery Findings
AFIEGO's 2024 assessment used
satellite imagery to map TotalEnergies' activities in Murchison Falls National
Park, revealing:
- Extent of vegetation clearing beyond disclosed
boundaries
- Proximity of well pads to critical wetland habitats
- Scale of road network development
- Visual evidence of habitat fragmentation
Protected Area Boundaries
Murchison Falls National Park covers
approximately 3,840 square kilometers. The Tilenga Project's License Areas 1
and 2 originally covered nearly 10% of the park, though TotalEnergies claims
development will be restricted to less than 1% with undeveloped areas
voluntarily relinquished.
Critical Coordinates for Monitoring
High-Risk Zones:
- Murchison Falls-Albert Delta Ramsar Site: Wetland of international importance near well pad
development
- Victoria Nile Pipeline Crossing: Fish spawning grounds and endangered species habitat
- Jobi-Rii Field (Nwoya): Multiple well pads north of the Nile
- Tangi Camp (Nwoya):
Oil storage facility for test crude
Economic Projections and Revenue
Sharing
Expected Government Revenue
The Uganda government anticipates
significant revenue from oil production, though specific projections remain
undisclosed due to confidentiality of Production Sharing Agreements.
Investment Figures
- Lake Albert Development Project: $20 billion total
- Tilenga and Kingfisher: $10 billion
- EACOP Pipeline:
$3.5-4 billion
- Uganda Oil Refinery:
$4 billion (negotiations with Alpha MBM Investments)
Local Economic Reality
Despite these massive investments,
communities in Pakwach and Nwoya report:
- Limited direct economic benefits
- Market access problems for agricultural products
- Rising living costs due to influx of workers
- Land values disrupted by industrial development
Climate Justice and International
Advocacy
The #StopEACOP Campaign
International civil society
movements have mobilized against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and
associated oil development. Six NGOs filed a landmark case against
TotalEnergies in French courts, though it was dismissed in March 2023, allowing
drilling to proceed.
Campaign Arguments:
- Oil extraction endangers wildlife and violates human
rights
- Project threatens regional water supply
- Will double Uganda and Tanzania's annual carbon
emissions
- Contradicts global climate commitments
Regional Implications
Uganda's oil development signals
broader trends across East Africa, with Kenya, Tanzania, and other nations
exploring their own hydrocarbon potential. Success or failure of environmental
management in Pakwach and Nwoya will set precedents for the entire region.
Future Outlook and Recommendations
Immediate Concerns (2025-2026)
As production commencement
approaches in 2026, critical issues require urgent attention:
- Oil Spill Preparedness: Uganda must demonstrate adequate capacity to respond
to spills threatening Lake Albert and the Nile River system
- Wildlife Conflict Management: Enhanced rangers and community-based monitoring
systems needed to prevent human-wildlife conflicts
- Water Quality Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of Lake Albert, Nile River, and
wetlands for contamination
- Community Compensation: Resolution of outstanding land acquisition and resettlement
grievances
Medium-Term Challenges (2026-2030)
- Waste Management Capacity: EnviroServ facility must prove capable of handling
production-phase waste volumes
- Tourism Coexistence:
Strategies required to maintain Murchison Falls' attractiveness while accommodating
industrial operations
- Employment Sustainability: Transition from construction to operations phase will
reduce workforce; alternative livelihoods needed
- Environmental Restoration: Verification that restoration commitments are
fulfilled as drilling progresses
Long-Term Considerations (Beyond
2030)
- Cumulative Impact Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of combined effects from
25-30 years of operations
- Decommissioning Planning: Clear plans for infrastructure removal and site
restoration at project end
- Just Transition:
Pathways for communities to transition to post-oil economy
- Climate Adaptation:
Resources for communities to adapt to climate changes exacerbated by
fossil fuel extraction
Conclusion
The oil exploration activities
around Pakwach and Nwoya represent a defining moment for Uganda's environmental
governance and community rights. While the Tilenga Project promises economic
transformation through employment, infrastructure, and government revenue, the
environmental and social costs are profound and possibly irreversible.
The destruction of biodiversity in
Murchison Falls National Park, threats to Lake Albert's fisheries, displacement
of communities, and contribution to global climate change raise fundamental
questions about the true cost of "development." The experiences of
communities like Gwot Apwoyo in Purongo—where Douglas Oluoch's farmland became
a toxic waste dump—illustrate the vulnerability of local populations to
industrial exploitation.
As drilling intensifies and
production approaches, the districts of Pakwach and Nwoya serve as a critical
test case: Can extractive industries and environmental conservation coexist?
Can economic benefits reach communities bearing environmental burdens? Can
international corporations be held accountable for their social and
environmental commitments?
The answers to these questions will
reverberate far beyond the coordinates of 2°27'N, 31°29'E (Pakwach) and 2°38'N,
32°00'E (Nwoya), influencing oil development across East Africa and the future
of protected areas worldwide. For now, the communities of northern Uganda watch
as the earth beneath their feet is transformed, hoping that promises of
prosperity will outweigh the undeniable costs of extraction.
Sources and References
- Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) - "Over 100 wells drilled as Uganda prepares for
first oil production" (April 14, 2025)
https://www.pau.go.ug/over-100-wells-drilled-as-uganda-prepares-for-first-oil-production-2/
- Oil & Gas Journal
- "Uganda expecting new oil in 2025" (August 22, 2024)
https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/55135151/uganda-expecting-new-oil-in-2025
- The Independent (Uganda) - "Uganda Is Already Benefiting Significantly
From the Oil Discovery" (October 2024) https://www.independent.co.ug/uganda-is-already-benefiting-significantly-from-the-oil-discovery/
- AllAfrica
- "Uganda: Cleaning up Oil" (May 12, 2015)
https://allafrica.com/stories/201505121155.html
- Mongabay
- "Advocacy group links Uganda oil infrastructure to human-elephant
conflict" (July 30, 2024)
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/07/advocacy-group-links-uganda-oil-infrastructure-to-human-elephant-conflict/
- Mongabay
- "Has Uganda done enough to prevent pollution of Lake Albert by oil
drilling?" (October 2025) http://news.mongabay.com/2025/10/has-uganda-done-enough-to-prevent-pollution-of-lake-albert-by-oil-drilling-commentary/
- Monitor (Uganda)
- "Albertine farmers decry lack of market despite oil boom"
(July 11, 2025) https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/albertine-farmers-decry-lack-of-market-despite-oil-boom-5114216
- West Nile Web
- "Leaders meet over Tilenga oil project plan gaps"
https://www.westnileweb.com/news-a-analysis/nebbi/leaders-meet-over-tilenga-oil-project-plan-gaps
- Environmental Defenders - "ED launches Environmental Journalism Grants
for Uganda, DRC" (May 11, 2025)
https://kazi-njemanews.com/environmental-defenders-ed-launches-environmental-journalism-grants-for-uganda-drc/
- Albertine Watch
- "Environmental Human rights defenders in the Albertine region under
attack"
https://www.albertinewatchdog.org/2020/01/24/environmental-human-rights-defenders-in-the-albertine-region-under-attack-the-tilenga-oil-development-project-raise-these-threats/
- Monitor (Uganda)
- "Oil exploration in Murchison Falls will go on, Nema insists"
(September 16, 2020)
https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Oil-exploration-Murchison-Falls-will-go-on-Nema-insists--/688334-5184420-60dg3f/index.html
- The Observer (Uganda)
- "Use of technology redefines oil exploration in Murchison
park" (August 20, 2025)
https://observer.ug/business/use-of-technology-redefines-oil-exploration-in-murchison-park/
- Al Jazeera
- "Oil drilling to go ahead in Ugandan park despite threat to
nature" (July 15, 2022) https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/7/15/oil-drilling-continues-in-ugandan-park-despite-threat-to-nature
- InfoNile
- "Uganda's First Oil: What is at Stake?" (March 11, 2025)
https://infonile.org/en/2021/02/ugandas-first-oil-whats-at-stake/
- Volcanos National Park Rwanda - "Oil in Uganda: Exploration, production and
management" (March 10, 2023)
https://www.volcanoesnationalparkrwanda.com/oil-in-uganda-exploration-production-and-management/
- Oil in Uganda Timeline - "Oil Timeline | Oil In Uganda"
https://www.oilinuganda.org/categories/oil-timeline/
- Wikipedia
- "Uganda National Oil Company" (September 8, 2025)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uganda_National_Oil_Company
- Wikipedia
- "Nwoya" (March 27, 2024) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nwoya
- Nwoya District Official Website - "Location & Size"
https://nwoya.go.ug/lg/location-size
- Citizens Concern Africa - "Promotion of land rights"
http://citizensconcernafrica.org/promotion-of-land-rights/
All coordinates and geospatial data
verified through multiple sources including official government websites, GPS
coordinate databases, and satellite mapping services.
Research Code;NUG-057-2025
Country;Uganda
Region;Northern Uganda
Publisher ID;pub-6403711198558955
Comments