Standing Up Against EACOP – A Fight for Environmental Justice and Human Rights

Blog by Aaron Downey, Global Citizenship Education and Activism Support Officer

The East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is at the centre of a fierce battle involving environmental activists, human rights defenders, and multinational corporations. This pipeline, stretching from Uganda to Tanzania, has become a lightning rod for protests over its devastating environmental impact and the displacement of tens of thousands of people. Despite the purported economic benefits of the pipeline for Uganda and Tanzania, the project has been plagued by accusations of human rights abuses, land displacement, and environmental degradation.

The EACOP Project: A Brief Overview

EACOP has been in the process of acquiring land since 2013 and is intended to transport crude oil from Uganda’s oil fields, primarily from the Tilenga project (operated by French company TotalEnergies) and the Kingfisher project (operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation). The nearly 1,445 kilometer pipeline would transport the oil through Uganda and Tanzania, skirting Lake Victoria,  crossing numerous important habitats and nature reserves as well as communities to terminate at the Indian Ocean.

In 2021, the ownership of EACOP was divided among TotalEnergies (65%), Uganda’s National Oil Company (15%), Tanzania (15%), and CNOOC (5%).

While the project is promoted as an essential step in developing Uganda’s oil sector, the environmental and social costs have raised significant concerns. According to the Climate Accountability Institute, EACOP could emit 379 million tonnes of CO2 over its projected 25-year operation, making the pipeline a significant contributor to global warming.

Environmental and Human Impact

Beyond the alarming carbon emissions, EACOP is expected to displace around 100,000 people across Uganda and Tanzania. The displacement of communities, loss of farmland, and destruction of critical wildlife habitats have drawn sharp criticism from environmental and human rights organizations. These communities, many of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, have seen their land seized, often without fair compensation.

The environmental risks posed by EACOP are enormous threatening key wildlife habitats and coastal waters. As global concerns about climate change intensify, the pipeline is seen as a step backward in the fight against fossil fuel dependence and environmental degradation.

Repression and Intimidation

Protests and activism against EACOP have been met with harsh repression in Uganda. In October 2023, a group of students attempting to deliver a petition to parliament were beaten and arrested. More recently, in August 2024, 21 activists, including seven community members directly affected by EACOP, were arrested during a peaceful protest in Kampala.

Maxwell Atuhura, Director of the Tasha Research Institute Africa and a prominent human rights defender, has faced continuous harassment and threats for his role in organizing against EACOP. He and others involved in the opposition have suffered arbitrary detentions, intimidation, and physical assaults. These actions demonstrate the lengths to which governments and corporations will go to silence dissent and push forward with projects that threaten human rights and the environment. 

International human rights and environmentak defender Maxwell Atuhura at Friends of the Earth's Climate Action Regional Gathering event in Cork 

Legal Action Against TotalEnergies

In June 2023, a landmark lawsuit was filed against TotalEnergies SE by 26 community members affected by the EACOP and Tilenga projects, along with several environmental organizations, including Friends of the Earth France and the National Association of Professional Environmentalists (NAPE). Maxwell is a plaintiff in these proceedings. The lawsuit focuses on the violation of human rights, particularly the unfair land acquisition process, inadequate compensation, loss of livelihoods, and the intimidation of those standing up against the project.

This legal action is based on France’s Duty of Vigilance Law, which holds multinational companies accountable for human rights violations associated with their business activities. If successful, the lawsuit could result in significant compensation for the claimants and set an important precedent for future cases. It could also have broader political ramifications, increasing pressure on corporations to respect human rights and environmental standards in their operations.

The Concept of Climate Colonialism

EACOP has been described as an example of "climate colonialism", where wealthy multinational corporations exploit the natural resources of poorer, formerly colonized countries like Uganda. The profits from these resources flow to shareholders in the Global North, while the local communities bear the environmental and social costs. Uganda, which has contributed minimally to global carbon emissions, finds itself at greater risk of climate breakdown due to projects like EACOP.

Despite the European Union passing motions condemning the human rights abuses linked to EACOP, much remains to be done. Activists are calling for stronger enforcement of laws like the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) to hold European companies accountable for their actions abroad.

Conclusion

EACOP represents more than just a pipeline—it is a symbol of the clash between development and environmental justice, between profit-driven exploitation and the rights of local communities. The resistance against EACOP, led by activists like Maxwell Atuhura, highlights the urgent need to rethink our approach to development, particularly in vulnerable regions like East Africa. As the world grapples with the climate crisis, the fight against EACOP is a crucial reminder that environmental and human rights must go hand in hand.