Ugandan police arrested 21 environmental activists in Kampala on Monday, August 26th during a protest against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. This large-scale initiative, led by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), aims to transport crude oil from Uganda to Tanzania through a 1,443-kilometer heated pipeline.
The protestors, part of a movement that includes groups like #STOPEACOP, were raising concerns over the potential harm the project could cause to local communities, wildlife, and the environment.
Critics argue that the pipeline will displace thousands of families, threaten water resources and wetlands in Uganda and Tanzania, and endanger vital ecosystems, including habitats for elephants, lions, and chimpanzees.
The environmental impact of the project is also a major concern. The pipeline is expected to release over 34 million tons of carbon emissions each year, adding to the global climate crisis. Environmentalists believe that investing in this project goes against the worldwide shift towards clean energy and sustainable practices.
The arrested activists were trying to present a petition to the Ugandan parliament and the Chinese embassy, urging a stop to the EACOP project. Their lawyer, Samuel Wanda, said the group included 19 men and 2 women, with eight of them directly affected by the pipeline. They are currently being held at Kampala’s central police station, but no charges have been announced yet.
Even though TotalEnergies claims that those displaced by the project have been compensated and that environmental protections are in place, the EACOP project continues to be a topic of intense debate.
As Uganda looks forward to its first oil production in 2025, the pipeline controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between economic growth and protecting the environment.
