Kigweera village, Buliisa district, Uganda* — Kennedy Bahemurwaki, a resident of Kigweera village in the heart of Buliisa district, watched as a significant portion of his cherished land vanished beneath the relentless construction of the RAP 4 crude oil pipeline. The land that once bore his livelihood, including fruit trees and vast farmland, was now lost to the relentless march of industrial progress. Like many in his community, Bahemurwaki felt the weight of this loss deeply.
In the midst of this transformation, Total Energies, through its partnership with Living Earth Uganda (LEU), stepped in with a mission: to support individuals like Kennedy Bahemurwaki and help them navigate the challenges brought about by the development of oil projects.
Kennedy, a renowned livestock farmer in the district, specializing in cattle farming, had always been resolute in his choice of trade. “When LEU approached us during disclosure meetings,” he recalls, “my heart was set on cattle because that’s where I had the expertise and knew I could thrive.”
With LEU’s assistance, Kennedy was presented with a Boran bull, a key figure in a unique initiative to empower Project Affected Households (PAHs) in the Buliisa cattle corridor. Among the 15 Boran bulls distributed, Kennedy’s bull was the first to welcome a new addition to the herd. He now holds this young, robust, droopy-eared breed with great optimism, anticipating its potential to meet the market demand for quality livestock.
“Observing the size of this bull and its calf,” Bahemurwaki enthuses, “I can’t help but imagine the income it will generate. It’s twice the size of the cows I’ve been raising for years.” He adds, “What’s truly remarkable is that this breed serves a dual purpose, providing both milk and meat, which are crucial income sources for my family.”
Though he didn’t maintain meticulous records, Bahemurwaki estimates that at least four neighboring households have benefited from crossbreeding with the Boran bull. This ripple effect of prosperity is just one example of how Total Energies and LEU are not merely mitigating the effects of oil pipeline development but actively fostering sustainable livelihoods within affected communities.
In Kigweera village and across Buliisa district, Kennedy Bahemurwaki’s story serves as a beacon of hope—a testament to the power of partnerships between corporations and grassroots organizations, ensuring that the impact of progress does not leave communities behind. As the crude oil pipeline forges ahead, it is stories like Kennedy’s that remind us of the transformative potential that lies within collaborative efforts to empower individuals and safeguard their futures.