Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s Tilenga oil project has employed over 10,500 Ugandans and advanced multiple community and environmental initiatives, according to TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s 2025 Social Report, launched amid growing scrutiny over the country’s oil sector.
The launch, held on September 16 in Kampala, was presided over by Uganda’s Energy Minister, Okaasai Sidronius Opolot, who pledged to review the report thoroughly and visit project sites alongside parliamentarians to verify progress. “I am not interested in nice paper words. I am keenly interested in this report and I am going to read it from page to page,” Okaasai said.
The report revealed that 10,570 Ugandans have been employed by the Tilenga project, with 35% drawn from host districts including Buliisa, Nwoya, and Hoima. Women constitute 16% of the workforce. Additionally, thirteen Ugandan staff have been seconded to TotalEnergies affiliates in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Local procurement reached $31.3 million, while more than 10,000 farmers have benefited from agricultural programs. Land acquisition for the project is 99% complete, with 235 project-affected households resettled and 100 land titles handed over in October 2024.
“Completion of land acquisition, compensation, and resettlement was a major milestone,” said Philippe Groueix, TotalEnergies’ General Manager in Uganda. The company has also distributed toolkits to 835 vocational trainees from affected households.
Community Engagement and Environmental Measures
TotalEnergies has conducted over 50 community sensitization meetings with 1,500 participants and invested in schools, health centres, and water supply systems. Environmental safeguards include reforestation, biodiversity programs, and environmental management plans aligned with international standards.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda lauded the company’s efforts, with senior official Joseph Kobushehe describing them as “responsible energy development and meaningful social investment.”
Environmental and rights groups continue to raise concerns over compensation and ecological impacts. TotalEnergies said it follows global regulations, engages with affected communities, and plans to release an updated social and environmental impact assessment later this year.
Joy Mubajje, Director of Social Performance and Biodiversity at TotalEnergies, said: “This report reinforces our dedication to sustainable development.”
Uganda is developing oilfields around Lake Albert in partnership with TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC, with commercial output expected in 2026.
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