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The paradox of extractable mineral resources in Uganda: Impacts on women and children

ByBetty ObboInformation & Publications Officer,National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE)

Delivered in on 7-11 October 2013 

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synopsis

IntroductionBackground of Uganda’s mining sector

Artisanal mining in UgandaEffects of mining on women and youths

NAPE’s intervention Achievements

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Introduction

Uganda is endowed with extractable mineral resources across the country

Over 50 different minerals, both metallic and non-metallic

Most of the mineral deposits are found in areas where communities live

Some are located in sensitive ecosystems such as lakes and wildlife reserves

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Mineral occurrence in Uganda

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Background of Uganda’s mining sector

Uganda’s mining sector was vibrant in the colonial days (1950s – 1960s)

Slackened in the 1970s – 1980s due to political instability that forced many extractive companies to abandon their operation

However, artisanal salt mining and small-scale gold mining in different parts of the country continues to-date

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Artisanal mining in UgandaMinerals extracted at small-scale include;

salt, gold, clay, stones etcThe process is manual & labour-intensive

using rudimentary tools (hoes, shovels & basins)

Mining in small-scale, employing few people –thousands of women, men & children

Informal or disorganized sector & unlicensed or organized in a company/association allowed to work

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Artisanal Salt miningSalt mining started in ancient times (16th

century)Mainly extracted in L. Katwe, a crater lake

with high concentration of salt & mixture of hydrogen, ammonia and other gases

Three products are mined; block of rock salt, high quality crystals used as table salt, and salt mud used as licks for livestock

Mining process requires miners to enter into the salty & chemicals polluted water to extract the salt

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Salt mining cont….Block salt is

mined by men from the bottom of the lake at dipper points

Women are involved in salt wining which is a process of fractional crystallization in large semi-permanent pools around the edges of the lake

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Effects of salt mining on womenMiners operate without protective gears, when

the brine get into contact with a ruptures skin, it causes itching and irritation sometimes severe

Effects on reproductive health -abdominal pains, pain the uterus and tube

High salt concentration leads to dehydration By accident when a miner falls in the chemical

polluted salty water, there is instant loss of lifeTo reduce this effect, women use pads and ware

tight pants covered with polythene paper. Men ware condoms and tighten with rubber bands

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Effects cont….

A woman’s hand damaged by salt brine

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Oil and gasWhen commercially viable oil deposits were

confirmed in 2006, gov’t and oil companies started development process

Many meetings, studies, EIAs, & consultations were done but with limited participation of communities especially women

Issues of women regarding benefit sharing, compensation & access to vital resources were ignored in the EIAs

Absence of gender responsive policies, strategies and mechanisms exacerbate the situation

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Effects on womenWith limited land, women can no longer put

enough food on table to feed their familiesWomen now have restricted access to wildlife

reserve were they used to collect firewood. Given 2 days in a week.

Denied access to some water points. Some oil wells are located at the lake shores, now this is a no-go zone.

Some women were fish mongers, now they have no access to fish

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NAPE’s InterventionSensitize affected communities on human

rights aspects of the oil industry so that they can understand, demand & defend their rights

Work closely with the media to amplify the concerns of the affected women

Published articles on the concerns of the communities, especially women in newpapers

Developed, published & disseminated many advocacy materials (T/shirts, flayers, & booklets) on the plight of the affect people

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NAPE’s intervention cont…Captured key voices of on negative effects

of oil on women and the community Documented, published & disseminated to

policy-makers, parliament, oil companies & the community & published on our website

Organized and facilitated affected communities to form a drama group through which they send messages on their plight through songs and drama

Amplified women‘s voices nationally & internationally in for a like this one

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Intervention cont…

Drama group practicing their performance

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AchievementsNAPE boosts of breaking docility from

affected people and creating a mass that in shaping debates in the oil industry

Communities now on their own can write articles on their plight in the national dailies

Petition government through their political representative in parliament over the inadequate compensation packages

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Achievements cont…Affected

women petitioning their woman representative in parliament

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Achievements cont….Government has not halted the

development of the oil refinery the matter is resolved, after an independent committee that probed the alleged the contested compensation packages offered to affected community reveled the process was not transparent.

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