New research has revealed that the 1,443km oil pipeline will affect Greater Masaka’s tourism potential and alter its rich biodiversity.
The research conducted by the Inclusive Green Economy Network-East Africa (IGEN-EA), a network of civil society organizations, reveals that part of the pipeline will affect River Kibale/Bukora in Kyotera and Rakai districts.
The river is one of the most important in the Sango Bay-Musambwa Island-Kagera (SAMUKA) Ramsar Wetland System. The system is renowned for having the largest swamp forest in Uganda. It is also famous for hosting 65 mammal species and 417 bird species.
“However, the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the EACOP puts the conservation of the above biodiversity at risk, which harms Greater Masaka’s tourism potential,” the report notes.
The report, titled: Tourism Potential of Greater Masaka vis-à-vis EACOP Project Risks, notes that the proposed construction method of the EACOP, the open cut method, as well as the planned monitoring of the EACOP, including at river crossings, every five years and using the pigging method, instead of cathodic protection for corrosion control purposes, puts rivers such as Katonga at risk of oil pollution.
The Greater Masaka sub-region is located in Southern Uganda, and borders Tanzania. It is made up of nine districts, including Kalungu, Masaka, Rakai, Sembabule, Lwengo, Kalangala, Lyantonde, Bukomansimbi, and Kyotera.
IGEN-EA conducted Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with 63 respondents from Greater Masaka between July 2024 and January 2025 in addition to document reviews and field visits.
Findings reveal that Uganda could earn as much as $1 million per year from the tourism potential of Greater Masaka if key sustainable tourism activities are undertaken regarding EACOP.
Dickens Kamugisha, whose organisation, Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO), is a member of IGEN-EA, said while the government says projects like EACOP will help tackle poverty, “the government and the private sector should invest in sustainable economic activities. Tourism is one such activity.”
To unlock Greater Masaka’s tourism potential, IGEN-EA recommends that Uganda and its partners, TotalEnergies and CNOOC, explore alternative routes for the EACOP to prevent it from impacting eco-sensitive areas with significant tourism potential.
The research also proposes that UTB, in collaboration with the private sector, assesses existing accommodation facilities and enforces minimum standards to enhance visitor experience.
“Furthermore, UTB and development partners should conduct a comprehensive scoping exercise to identify additional sites with tourism potential in Greater Masaka. IGEN-EA’s brief is limited, as it does not discuss all the sites with sustainable tourism potential in Greater Masaka.
Paul Lubega Muwonge, of Uganda Community Tourism Association (UCOTA), a member organisation of IGEN-EA, said research is an important and desired step in tourism product development.
“It [research] sets a stronger foundation in all operations. We hope that the Ugandan government and development partners will use this research to harness the benefits of tourism by launching tourist activities in the Greater Masaka sub-region,” Muwonge said.
