French energy giant TotalEnergies has said it will review its land acquisition practices for a $10bn (£7.9bn) project covering Uganda and Tanzania, following criticism by environmentalists and human rights groups.
The company said it would evaluate its population relocation practices for the Tilenga drilling project in Uganda and a massive crude oil pipeline that will be built across Tanzania.
TotalEnergies – in collaboration with Chinese company CNOOC International – plans to construct over 400 oil wells at Uganda’s Murchison Falls nature reserve.
The company said 98% of the 19,000 affected households have been relocated and compensated.
However, Human Rights Watch has said the entire project will impact over 100,000 people in Uganda and Tanzania.
Environmental groups have filed criminal complaints in Paris, accusing the oil companies of “ecocide”, which they deny.