A group of eleven activists protesting against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) was charged with nuisance after their demonstration at the EU Mission in Kampala. The protesters, affiliated with Students Against EACOP Uganda, delivered a petition urging the EU to pressure France to withdraw support for Total Energies, citing numerous environmental and human rights concerns related to the project. Despite their arrest, the Ugandan government maintains the necessity of the project for economic reasons.
On February 26, 2025, eleven environmental activists from the Students Against EACOP Uganda group were arrested and subsequently charged with common nuisance after protesting at the European Union Mission in Kampala against the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Prominent individuals among the accused include Shaffic Kalyango, Joseph Ssengozi, and Namuddu Rahima. The demonstration aimed to deliver a petition urging the EU to pressure France to halt its support for Total Energies, the project’s largest shareholder.
The activists voiced strong concerns about the EACOP project, citing potential severe environmental and human rights violations. They emphasized risks such as mass displacement, environmental degradation, and gender-based violence associated with the pipeline’s construction, which stretches 1,443 kilometers from Uganda to Tanzania. According to Kaye Yudah, head of mobilization at Students Against EACOP Uganda, the developers of EACOP have committed significant human rights abuses against project-affected persons.
The charge sheet indicated that the group’s actions resulted in a disruption of business at the EU offices. The Ugandan government continues to advocate for the pipeline, asserting its importance to the national oil industry despite ongoing protests and criticisms relating to the project’s social and environmental impact. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa confirmed that significant progress has already been made, with over 1,100 kilometers of the pipeline delivered to Tanzania and construction ongoing in both nations.
The protests occurred shortly before the East African Court of Justice commenced hearings on an appeal by various civil society organizations questioning the project’s legality. Activists remain resolute in their opposition, maintaining that the project’s adverse effects warrant serious considerations and revisions.
In conclusion, the protest led by Students Against EACOP Uganda highlights the tensions between environmental activism and governmental support for major infrastructure projects. The charges against the activists have intensified discussions around the EACOP pipeline’s environmental and human rights implications, while the Ugandan government continues to assert the project’s significance for the nation’s economic development. As legal challenges ensue, the future of EACOP remains uncertain amidst growing opposition.
Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz
