Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) is in the spotlight for burning 15 fishing boats, fishing nets, and other important instruments vital to the livelihoods of local villagers living in the Kingfisher Development Area where China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has long been developing oil and gas operations.

Civil Society Coalition for Sustainable Development, a group of Ugandan environmental and human rights civil society organizations, reveals that boats and supplies supported up to 60 families through the traditional arrangement of African communal “ubuntu” sharing.

THE Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) lamented that ‘this unprecedented act of large-scale destruction ripped hundreds of villagers from their primary means of livelihood overnight, and signals an alarming escalation in the ongoing military deployment around the Kingfisher installations.’

According to witnesses, around 19 community members were arrested and detained beyond the legally mandated 48 hours.

Local communities have reported rising deployment and activity of UPDF soldiers to guard CNOOC’s installations. If seen near the lake, villagers have been beaten or apprehended, villagers told CSOs. Military forces have also arbitrarily seized several fishing boats from the community without notice or explanation.

“They came promising us heaven and earth but delivered nothing. Now, they harass us for the oil they found here,” members of the Kingfisher community speaking anonymously told the CSOs.

The person explained that the affected community has aired their concerns regarding recent developments but this has only led to further reprisals on the impoverished community robbed of their primary means of survival.

“Our people endure beatings, arrests, and burnt boats. How can we survive? Our businesses collapsed during COVID-19. As we try to recover, CNOOC’s operations destroy our only hope…they must learn to respect the people they found here.”

Numerous grievances have marred the development of the Kingfisher oil fields since its inception. According to estimates by the government, over 700 people have been forcefully displaced from their land, with many of them remaining landless to this day due to inadequate compensation. The project has also caused significant environmental harm, including the heavy pollution of water sources used by communities for their households and livestock.