Dammed Divinities: The Water Powers at Bujagali Falls, Uganda

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The damming of Bujagali Falls, located only eight kilometers north of the outlet of Lake Victoria, is seen as one of the most controversial projects in modern times. In 2012, the dam was eventually inaugurated after years of anti-dam opposition and delays. A unique aspect of the controversy was the role of the locally resident river spirit Budhagaali in blocking the dam and opposing the destruction of the waterfalls, which had been its home. Terje Oestigaard describes how a water spirit can block an almost billion dollar dam and also recounts the ritual drama behind the repeated efforts to relocate the spirit so that construction of the dam could proceed.