The National Forestry and Tree Planting Act of 2003 meant to provide for the
conservation, sustainable management and development of forests for the benefit of
the people of Uganda and create the national forestry authority (NFA).
4.1.3 Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) (PEDP)
Act, 2013
The Act is to among others regulate petroleum exploration, development and
production, to establish the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the National Oil
Company, to create a conducive environment for the promotion of exploration, to
provide for efficient and safe petroleum activities and to provide for the conditions
for the restoration of derelict lands.
97
The PEDP Act under part x creates liability for damage due to pollution.
98 This
part makes a general undertaking; it does not specify or even state how oil spills can
be avoided. The part only states liability and compensation.
The PEDP further states that:
The National Environment Management Authority in consultation with the Authority, may
grant a license for the management, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of waste
arising out of petroleum activities to an entity contracted by a licensee under subsection
(3) on terms and conditions prescribed in the license.
A person contracted by the licensee under subsection (3) shall not carry out those
activities without a license issued by the NEMA.
99
These provisions are properly constituted to oversee waste management at different stages which is a good gesture in that regard more so the penalties the two laws
(upstream and down-stream) set once there’s a contravention of the sections.
But what has been reported in the Graben is that the current practices are likely to
expose the Albertine Graben to more potential risks since a larger area of land in this
sensitive eco-system is cleared, dug up and compressed as a methodology to
handling the waste in the short run, than if waste was treated and disposed of at
once; this was evidenced at Bugungu Waste Consolidation Site where waste had
been piled above ground level but had not been properly tucked away.
100
97 Preamble of the Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Act (PEDP Act) of 2013.
98 Section 129 PEDP Act.
99 Section. 3, 5, 6 PEDP Act.
100 Report of the Auditor General (2014).
Land Conservation in the Albertine Graben Region of Uganda: A Critical. . .
93
conservation, sustainable management and development of forests for the benefit of
the people of Uganda and create the national forestry authority (NFA).
4.1.3 Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) (PEDP)
Act, 2013
The Act is to among others regulate petroleum exploration, development and
production, to establish the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the National Oil
Company, to create a conducive environment for the promotion of exploration, to
provide for efficient and safe petroleum activities and to provide for the conditions
for the restoration of derelict lands.
97
The PEDP Act under part x creates liability for damage due to pollution.
98 This
part makes a general undertaking; it does not specify or even state how oil spills can
be avoided. The part only states liability and compensation.
The PEDP further states that:
The National Environment Management Authority in consultation with the Authority, may
grant a license for the management, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of waste
arising out of petroleum activities to an entity contracted by a licensee under subsection
(3) on terms and conditions prescribed in the license.
A person contracted by the licensee under subsection (3) shall not carry out those
activities without a license issued by the NEMA.
99
These provisions are properly constituted to oversee waste management at different stages which is a good gesture in that regard more so the penalties the two laws
(upstream and down-stream) set once there’s a contravention of the sections.
But what has been reported in the Graben is that the current practices are likely to
expose the Albertine Graben to more potential risks since a larger area of land in this
sensitive eco-system is cleared, dug up and compressed as a methodology to
handling the waste in the short run, than if waste was treated and disposed of at
once; this was evidenced at Bugungu Waste Consolidation Site where waste had
been piled above ground level but had not been properly tucked away.
100
97 Preamble of the Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Act (PEDP Act) of 2013.
98 Section 129 PEDP Act.
99 Section. 3, 5, 6 PEDP Act.
100 Report of the Auditor General (2014).
Land Conservation in the Albertine Graben Region of Uganda: A Critical. . .
93