Lagos — Communities and Environmental activists yesterday took to the streets of Kapamla, Uganda to protest against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, a development they claimed has negatively impacted their communities.
The protesters also demanded justice, respect for their rights, and an end to the environmental and human rights violations associated with the project saying that these actions have devastated their communities caused by EACOP, a project spearheaded by TotalEnergies and the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
In statement, Balach Bakundane, Community leader and Organiser – EACOP Host Communities Organisation said that operation and activities of the project has become a threat to residents of the several communities around the EACOP project adding that the project also threatens Uganda’s environment, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of thousands of people.
In Hoima Town, a large group of roughly 300 project-affected people (PAPs) from communities directly impacted by the EACOP project, gathered at Kitara Secondary School with the intention of marching peacefully to demonstrate outside the EACOP company offices. Their aim was to deliver a letter of demands that outlined the numerous grievances of the affected communities, including unfair compensation, displacement, environmental degradation, and the lack of meaningful consultation with communities.
Meanwhile, in Kampala, a group of student and civil society activists, led by a delegation of impacted community members, planned to demonstrate outside TotalEnergies’ headquarters and the Ugandan Parliament. Their demands mirrored those of their counterparts in Hoima, calling for the immediate cessation of the EACOP project, reparations for the damage already caused, and a transition to decentralised, renewable energy solutions that truly benefit the people of Uganda.
Bakundane explained that in the town of Hoima, what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration was met with outright contempt by the Ugandan authorities. Police blocked the majority of the demonstrators from approaching the EACOP offices, allowing only a small group to hand over the letter of demands while forcing the other community members to get back onto the buses that organizers had provided and escorting them back to their respective communities.
He said: “This blatant suppression of peaceful protest is a direct violation of the communities’ rights to freely express their concerns and demand accountability.
The situation in Kampala was even more alarming. The group intending to peacefully demonstrate outside TotalEnergies’ headquarters and the Ugandan Parliament was immediately rounded up and 21 activists, including members of the community delegation, were violently arrested by police. This unjustifiable use of force against peaceful demonstrators is a stark reminder of the escalating crisis of arrests, violence, threats, harassment, and intimidation faced by land, human rights, and environmental defenders in Uganda.
“We call on the international community to take a firm stand against these injustices. It is imperative that global actors exert pressure on the Ugandan authorities to end the violence, respect the rights of affected communities, and engage in meaningful dialogue with those who are demanding justice and a sustainable future.
“The voices of the people must not be silenced. The EACOP project, with its far-reaching environmental and social impacts, must be halted. We stand in solidarity with the communities and ordinary people across Uganda who are bravely resisting this destructive project. Their demands for justice, renewable energy, and the preservation of their environment must be heard.
“The protesters demands an immediate stoppage of the EACOP Project and all other activities related to EACOP until the grievances of the affected communities are addressed.
They also demanded reparations for the environmental and social damage already caused by
TotalEnergies and CNOOC.
“Protesters wants a meaningful engagement with the authorities in genuine consultations with affected communities with a view to ensuring that their demands for justice and renewable energy alternatives are met.
“The Ugandan government must prioritize decentralized, community-owned renewable energy solutions that align with the needs and aspirations of the people.
“Today we have experienced another set of injustices. As oil-affected communities, who have been demanding for our concerns to be addressed, we have not been getting any answer. This, alongside the continued harassment and threats our community members have been facing for a long time for speaking out, is why we decided to mobilise ourselves to deliver our petition to the EACOP offices in a very peaceful manner. Unfortunately, we were blocked by the security forces including the Hoima RCC, the Kikuube RDC and other police organs who stopped us from delivering our petition. It is an injustice that we continue to experience this sort of disrespect as communities who are impacted by EACOP and who have lost our livelihoods and our land.” –
Speaking in similar vein, Brighton Aryampa, Environmental and Human Rights Lawyer said “We unequivocally condemn these arrests and the ongoing repression of peaceful protestors in Uganda. We demand the immediate release of all those arrested today in Kampala and an end to the violent suppression of community voices. These actions are part of a broader and deeply concerning pattern of state-sanctioned violence and intimidation against those who dare to speak out against the EACOP project. The Ugandan government’s willingness to prioritise the interests of multinational corporations over the rights and well-being of its citizens is not only reprehensible but also a gross violation of human rights.” –
In comments, Barigye Bob, Chairperson – StopEACOP Activists Task Force said: “We shall not quit or back down till the concerns of our communities and environment are addressed. Instead of arresting us while exercising our constitutional right to freely assemble, petition, and express our opinions, the government and oil companies should address the concerns we are raising . We don’t have room for new pipelines in Uganda and Africa.” –
“We came with many people from different communities that are affected by EACOP and wanted to present our letter to the EACOP project officials. As soon as we got there to the gathering point the police surrounded us within minutes and were questioning us. We are not happy with how they have treated us and refused us an opportunity to peacefully demonstrate. Even though a small group of us were able to take our letter to the EACOP offices and were able to talk to the RCC, it is wrong that they have sent us away without giving all of us the chance to come forward and voice our concerns and express our frustrations through peaceful protest to demand that we are taken seriously and are no longer ignored even after all the hardship we have endured because of EACOP.”
