Activists Charged with Nuisance After Protest Against EACOP in Uganda

A group of 11 environmental activists in Uganda have been charged with common nuisance after protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) at the EU Mission. They demanded the EU pressure France to halt support for the project, which they claim poses severe environmental and human rights risks. The Ugandan government continues to advance the pipeline’s construction amid ongoing protests and legal challenges.

In Kampala, Uganda, 11 environmental activists associated with the Students Against EACOP Uganda group have been charged with common nuisance following a protest at the European Union (EU) Mission. These individuals, including Shaffic Kalyango, Joseph Ssengozi, and Namuddu Rahima, were arrested on February 26, 2025, for attempting to deliver a petition demanding the EU to pressure France to halt its support for the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The activists are vehemently opposed to the EACOP project, with concerns regarding its potential to cause significant environmental destruction and human rights violations, including mass displacement and gender-based violence. The pipeline, spanning 1,443 kilometers, is intended to transport crude oil from Uganda to Tanzania and is estimated to cost $5 billion.
The charge sheet indicates that the activists disrupted business operations at the EU Mission’s offices, resulting in their arrest. Kaye Yudah, head of mobilization at Students Against EACOP Uganda, criticized the project developers for committing human rights abuses, particularly during the acquisition of approximately 5,172 hectares of land from over 86,000 individuals from more than 13,292 households affected by the project.
Despite the activists’ protests, which have occurred alongside ongoing legal challenges to the project, the Ugandan government insists on the pipeline’s importance for the nation’s oil sector. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa confirmed that construction is continuing, with over 1,100 kilometers of the pipeline already transported to Tanzania.
With the operational date set for 2027, continued activism and legal scrutiny persist as community groups remain committed to opposing the EACOP due to its potential social and environmental repercussions.

The detention and charges against the environmental activists highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the EACOP project in Uganda. Despite the government’s commitment to the pipeline’s development, significant opposition continues, emphasizing the concerns regarding environmental impacts and human rights. As protests persist and legal challenges unfold, the future of the EACOP remains uncertain.

Original Source: www.thecitizen.co.tz