Home Institution

William & Mary

Publication Date

Fall 2021

Program Name

Uganda: Global Development Studies

Abstract

This paper assesses the effects of the development induced displacement due to the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Awoo village and surrounding areas in Karuma Town. Recently, Uganda has pursued several large-scale development projects that have repeatedly displaced people. Despite having strong displacement and resettlement framework, there is a continued pattern of failing to implement such framework, threatening the livelihood and well-being of those displaced.

Interview with key informants from several government agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development the National Environmental Management Authority and Ugandan Generation Electricity Company Ltd have illustrated the political framework and the perceived benefits on the community. Several Focus Group Discussions within the community has revealed that displacement and resettlement framework was poorly implemented or not implemented at all. Corruption, lack of accountability and lack of transparency contributed to the government’s poor implementation. Therefore, displacement had an overwhelmingly negative effect by lowering the standard of living for PAPs, crippling their autonomy as Ugandan citizens and exacerbating rural inequality.

Uganda must take several drastic and immediate changes to their political framework and implementation. The government must rewrite their framework in order to promote stronger and less biased monitoring by hiring a third-party monitoring consultant. Additionally, the government must have a proper plan and funding for RAP and CDAP before starting construction that will have phases for the rollout. Finally, CBO’s like KAHLCO must be used as the primary spokesperson for the community and must be continually and persistently engaged with the framework development and implementation process.

Disciplines

African Languages and Societies | African Studies | Civil Engineering | Energy Policy | Growth and Development | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Public Administration | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Social Welfare

Share

Article Location

 
COinS