KAMPALA, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Ugandan parliament on Thursday condemned a resolution by the European Union (EU) parliament to halt the development of the country's oil sector, citing environmental concerns and human rights abuses.
EU parliament advised Uganda and Tanzania not to go ahead with the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline that will transport the oil from western Uganda to the Tanzania seaport of Tanga. The EU also warned member countries not to render any diplomatic, financial, or other support to Uganda's oil and gas projects.
Thomas Tayebwa, deputy Speaker of the Ugandan parliament, said the motion by the EU parliament seeks to curtail the progress of Uganda's oil and gas developments and by extension, the country's socio-economic growth and development.
"It also seeks to deny Ugandans and East Africans the benefits and opportunities from the oil and gas sector. This represents the highest form of Economic Racism against developing countries," Tayebwa said.
"It is imprudent to say that Uganda's oil projects will exacerbate climate change, yet it is a fact that the EU bloc with only 10 percent of the world's population is responsible for 25 percent of global emissions, and Africa with 20 percent of the world's population is responsible for 3 percent of emissions. The EU and other western countries are historically responsible for climate change. Who then should stop or slow down on development of natural resources? Certainly not Africa or Uganda," he added.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the revenues accrued from the oil will be critical in strengthening the country's and the region's economic development. ■