Murchison Falls National Park, one of Uganda’s crown jewels, is facing an unprecedented crisis as a convergence of oil activities, climate change, and poaching threatens to undermine its rich biodiversity and ecological integrity, a new study has revealed.
A July 2024 research by the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), a natural resources’ governance civil society organisation, paints a grim picture of the park’s deteriorating condition and the urgent need for intervention.
The Ugandan government’s decision to commercialise its oil reserves has brought the Tilenga oil project, operated by French firm TotalEnergies, into the heart of Murchison Falls National Park.
Satellite imagery analysis conducted by the research team reveals the rapid development of oil infrastructure within the park, including the construction of 10 well pads and the clearing of access roads.
“The progress made in developing oil sector infrastructure in MFNP was assessed through satellite images, which were used to develop maps that are provided in this brief,” the report said.
“Analysis of May 2024 satellite imagery shows rapid development of the ten well pads and clearing for roads as well the pipeline network inside Murchison Falls National Park.”
Particularly concerning is the proximity of two well pads, Jobiri 10 and Ngiri 1, which are located an estimated 950 and 750 metres respectively from the Murchison Falls-Albert Delta Ramsar Site, a wetland of international importance and a critical spawning ground for the Lake Albert fisheries.
The encroachment of oil infrastructure has had a profound impact on the park’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Key informant interviews with oil host communities, tour guides, civil society actors, and biodiversity experts paint a troubling picture.
“The stakeholders indicated that the Tilenga oil project infrastructural developments have had negative impacts on wildlife,” the study added.
For instance, the drilling rig in the park was implicated in negatively affecting elephants. The respondents observed that the vibrations from the rig were felt by elephants, which were increasingly moving from the park to surrounding communities.
Previous research has shown that during an earlier phase of oil exploration in Murchison Falls National Park, elephants were affected by the activities and moved away from the sites where oil operations were ongoing.
This pattern appears to be repeating itself, with oil host communities reporting that elephants are now invading their croplands, leading to conflicts and the loss of human lives.
The study also highlights concerns about the impact of the drilling rig’s light pollution on nocturnal and light-sensitive wildlife, such as leopards, lions, and birds, which could be forced to migrate from the park or suffer worse consequences.
The construction of paved roads within the park has exposed wildlife to increased poaching, accidents, and pollution, while also altering the park’s natural feel, which could deter some tourists.
The challenges facing Murchison Falls National Park are not limited to oil activities alone. The study also underscores the devastating impacts of climate change and poaching, which are further compounding the park’s woes.
“Climate change is reported to have led to ecosystem alterations, loss of feeding and watering grounds during dry weather and destruction of breeding grounds especially for crocodiles and hippopotami, whose population in Murchison Falls National Park is reported to have drastically reduced,” it said.
Respondents observed that while Murchison Falls National Park was once famous for its large populations of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes, these numbers have dwindled significantly in recent years due to the combined effects of climate change, poaching, and oil activities.
“Murchison Falls National Park is dying and a combination of climate change impacts, poaching and oil activities are to blame,” one respondent said.
The study brief offers a set of recommendations to address the multifaceted challenges facing Murchison Falls National Park and protect it’s invaluable biodiversity and ecological resources.
“To protect the park and conserve biodiversity, this research recommends that oil activities in Murchison Falls National Park are stopped, while assessments by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are conducted, and recommendations made to address other challenges such as poaching and climate change that are affecting wildlife,” the study noted.
The researchers also suggest that development partners should support Uganda in transitioning to green economic activities, such as clean energy, agroforestry, sustainable tourism, and organic agriculture, to meet the country’s economic aspirations while preserving its natural heritage.
Joseph Tukasiima a natural resources expert said the research brief by AFIEGO serves as a wake-up call, urging stakeholders to take immediate action to protect this invaluable national treasure.
“The recommendations outlined in the report provide a roadmap for safeguarding Murchison Falls National Park ‘s future, ensuring that its rich biodiversity and natural wonders are preserved for generations to come,” he added.
But, officials in Kampala and technocrats assert that Uganda’s projects employ advanced technologies that minimise noise, include biodiversity net gain programmes, monitor wildlife movement in national parks, and adhere to all required environmental and social mitigation measures.
Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), the sector regulator, while celebrating the second World Environmental Day celebrations for the oil and gas sector, held at St. Genesius-Mpasaana Catholic Parish, Kakumiro district, on June 14, emphasised the importance of dispelling misconceptions about oil development’s environmental impact both locally and internationally.
PAU highlighted Uganda’s low carbon emission rate of 13.3 kilogrammes per barrel compared to the global average of 33 kilogrammes per barrel, attributing this achievement to Uganda’s leadership and technical expertise.
Murchison Falls National Park, which is locally known as Kabalega National Park, is one of Uganda’s oldest, largest, most visited and species rich parks (Plumptre et al, 2015).
The park and its associated game reserves was home to 144 mammal, 556 bird, 51 reptile, 51 amphibian and 755 plant species (Plumptre et al, 2015) in 2015.
