Uganda is facing criticism for failure to enforce compliance with environmental standards in the oil sector.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority recently rescued two crocodiles from uncovered oil exploration waste pits in what conservationists said was one of many signals that Kampala had failed to ensure oil explorers complied with environmental guidelines.

Uganda in 2006 discovered commercial quantities of hydrocarbons in the Lake Albert Basin along the western border with DR Congo. Exploration firms estimate oil reserves of up to 2.5 billion barrels.

Wildlife officials said the exploration pits should have been fully fenced off.

Studies

The authority said it would be conducting a study to determine the trade-off between oil production and conservation within the Albertine Rift.

The study will collect baseline data of ecological distribution in the Rift to feed into the oil policy, now being developed.

“We have the challenge of non-existence of baselines, which increases the likelihood of exploration activities interfering with wildlife,” says Ghad Mugiri, head of Murchison Falls conservation area. 

According to the wildlife authority, the study will answer questions about the current trends, the food chain, the fright distance of animals, feeding habits, their breeding and movement patterns to balance oil exploration and wildlife activities.

Fright distance is the minimum distance an animal can bear before it feels it is provoked.

Vibrations

A concurrent study will establish the fright distance for all animals in protected areas. Some animals like elephants and lions are said to be reacting to the oil drilling vibrations, which is affecting their movement patterns. 

The study, to run for three years, will be funded by the World Wide Fund and undertaken by Green Belt Consult.

Conservationists are concerned that in the absence of a proper policy, the wildlife corridor in part of the Albertine Rift, which is a protected area, may be disrupted or even destroyed. 

The area has shown the biggest oil potential as shown by the exploration activities. Out of the 34 oil and gas wells so far drilled, only two do not have oil.