Amid growing global concern over climate change, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has sparked widespread protests across Uganda and Tanzania considering the impacts it might have on the communities. Local communities directly affected by the project, along with activists, have in unison voiced their opposition to the pipeline, citing environmental degradation, human rights violations, and the failure to consider a just transition to renewable energy.
The protests come at a time when the world is increasingly focused on reducing fossil fuel dependence, highlighted by the recent Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty agreed upon during COP28 in Dubai. The EACOP is a 1,443-kilometer crude oil pipeline designed to transport oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to the Chongoleani peninsula in Tanga, Tanzania.
EACOP is a project spearheaded by TotalEnergies, which holds 62% of the shares, alongside the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) with 8%, and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, each holding 15%. The pipeline is said to traverse ten districts in Uganda, affecting hundreds of villages and diverse ecosystems along its route.
In Hoima Town, Uganda, around 300 individuals from communities directly impacted by the EACOP project gathered to peacefully protest. Their grievances included inadequate compensation, displacement, environmental damage, and a lack of genuine consultation. Their goal was to deliver a letter of demand to EACOP offices, but their efforts were met with resistance from Ugandan authorities, who blocked the majority of the demonstrators from approaching the offices.
Rachel Tugume, an individual affected by the EACOP project from Hoima District, conveyed that a large group from various communities impacted by the project sought to present a letter to EACOP officials however were deterred forcibly. She expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment they received and the denial of their right to a peaceful demonstration
“Upon arrival at the gathering point, they were quickly surrounded by police and subjected to questioning. Although a small group succeeded in delivering the letter and speaking with the RCC, Tugume criticized the exclusion of the larger group from voicing their concerns and frustrations through a peaceful protest, emphasizing their enduring hardship due to the EACOP project,” said Rachel.
Similarly, in Kampala, student and civil society activists, accompanied by impacted community members, attempted to demonstrate outside TotalEnergies’ headquarters and the Ugandan Parliament. Their demands included an immediate halt to the EACOP project, reparations for environmental and social damage, and a transition to renewable energy. However, the demonstration was quickly suppressed by the police, leading to the violent arrest of 21 activists.
Balach Bakundane, a community organizer with the EACOP Host Communities Organisation, expressed that oil-affected communities have consistently demanded that their concerns be addressed but have received no response.
He noted that ongoing harassment and threats faced by community members for speaking out compelled them to mobilize and deliver their petition to the EACOP offices in a peaceful manner. Bakundane further highlighted the injustice of the continued disrespect experienced by communities impacted by EACOP, who have lost their livelihoods and land.
In Tanzania, members of the Chongoleani community in the Tanga region also protested against the EACOP project. They engaged in a march to the EACOP offices in Tanga Town, seeking to petition the Tanzanian government to halt construction. However, their petition was not accepted, and they were directed to address their grievances at the EACOP headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
Notably, these protests against EACOP are taking place against the backdrop of global efforts to reduce fossil fuel reliance. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty agreed upon during COP28, underscores the need to stop the expansion of fossil fuel projects and transition to clean energy. The treaty also calls for holding multinational corporations accountable for environmental and social injustices.
Core Demands of the Protestors:
- Immediate Halt of the EACOP Project: Protestors demand the cessation of all EACOP activities until the grievances of affected communities are addressed.
- Reparations: TotalEnergies and CNOOC must compensate for the environmental and social damage already caused.
- End the Violence: The Ugandan and Tanzanian authorities must stop the arrests, harassment, and intimidation of land, human rights, and environmental defenders.
- Meaningful Engagement: Authorities must engage in genuine consultations with affected communities to address their demands for justice and renewable energy alternatives.
- Transition to Renewable Energy: Both governments must prioritize decentralized, community-owned renewable energy solutions that align with the needs and aspirations of their people.
The EACOP project has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over fossil fuels and environmental justice in East Africa. The international community is urged to stand in solidarity with those resisting the project, advocating for justice, environmental preservation, and a sustainable future for Uganda and Tanzania.
As the world moves towards a cleaner, greener future, the demands of these communities are not just local concerns but part of a global imperative to transition away from fossil fuels and protect the planet for future generations.
