Uganda Silences EACOP Critics: Activists and Affected Communities Detained

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project continues to spark controversy in Uganda, highlighting the ongoing struggle between corporate interests and citizens' rights. On August 26th, 2024, approximately 300 members of the Hoima community were prevented from presenting their grievances to the EACOP offices in Hoima town. In the same breath, 20 young activists and persons who the project has negatively impacted were rounded up by police in Kampala and remanded in Luzira prison until September 3 for what is termed as ‘common nuisance’. Initially, they were 21, but the one person at Jinja police station was released.

These events clearly show that the government prioritizes the interests of TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), who own over 70% of the project, over the well-being of its citizens. Even though it is stated that EACOP is in the interest of the Ugandan people, the project is a means through which oil originating from Uganda is exported to imperialist countries abroad, and it is the frontline communities who suffer environmental impacts, land dispossession and loss of flora and fauna.

Protesters were demanding fair compensation, an end to displacement, and a halt to environmental destruction. However, their peaceful demonstrations were met with police violence and arrests, highlighting the growing human rights concerns related to EACOP.

The government's actions reflect a worrying trend in the Global South, where transnational corporations can force governments and key bodies to bulldoze their interests. It's not lost on us that the African Energy Chamber (AEC) is planning a joint lawsuit claiming exploring fossil fuels will reduce the energy poverty in the continent. How ironic when pipelines like EACOP are here to export the oil to meet energy needs abroad? How's exporting oil, destroying our livelihoods and fertile lands, and risking oil spills in our wetlands considered as providing energy to some 600 million energy-poor Africans?

Thankfully, Africans are wiser and see EACOP as the neocolonial project it is. The youth are not taking this lying down and are demanding their government prioritize them, their environment, and the climate over short-term profits that will not trickle down to the locals.

We stand in solidarity with those detained and call for their release and the charges against them to be dropped. The fight for a just and sustainable future in Uganda must continue, focusing on renewable energy solutions that benefit all Ugandans, not just foreign corporations.

If you haven’t seen the press release from yesterday’s (August 24th, 2024) protests, click here.