Uganda's Oil Quest Seen as Threat to Biodiversity

Uganda’s oil finds in the Albertine Graben, involving Britain’s Tullow Oil, threaten biodiversity there, an environmental body said.

Foreign companies continue to make hydrocarbon finds in western Uganda on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, with estimated reserves of two billion barrels and $500 million invested by the end of 2008.
There are four companies exploring for crude in the area with four blocs still open.

“Although environment impact assessments have been undertaken, and mitigation measures proposed, the current activities are already having impact on wildlife, the ecosystem and the human environment,” the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) said in its 2008 annual report published on Thursday.

The Albertine Graben has mountain gorillas and monkeys, the golden monkey and 42 bird species as well as Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and other national parks, the semi-autonomous body said.

Planet Ark