Students from Makerere and Kyambogo Universities Petition Parliament Against EACOP

On May 29, a group of students from Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) marched to Uganda's Parliament to voice their opposition to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. The students, organized under the banner of Students Against EACOP Uganda, delivered a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, urging legislative action on environmental and human rights concerns linked to the project.

Why this matters: The East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project has significant environmental and human rights implications, affecting not only local communities but also the global ecosystem. If not addressed, the project could lead to irreparable damage to Uganda's biodiversity and exacerbate social injustices.

Led by Martha Amviko from Kyambogo, John Otule from Makerere, and Yuda Kaye from MUBS, the students highlighted several key issues in their petition. They argued that the 1,443 km heated pipeline, which will transport crude oil from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania, poses significant risks to the region's biodiversity and environment. The petition emphasized the potential for biodiversity loss, since the pipeline route passes through national parks and threatens endangered species such as the great apes.

The students also raised concerns about the displacement of thousands of Ugandans from their ancestral lands, many of whom have yet to receive compensation. They called for an immediate reinstatement of those evicted and urged Parliament to introduce measures to safeguard the environment and the safety of Ugandans. 'Our humble plea is for you to prioritize the will of ordinary Ugandans against a few individuals who want to reap big from the suffering of Ugandans by registering record profits,' the petition stated.

This protest marks the latest in a series of actions against the EACOP project. Previous attempts by students to petition Parliament have been met with arrests by police. The project has also faced opposition from civil society organizations and the European Union Parliament, which called for its suspension in 2022 over allegations of human rights violations.

The EACOP project, a 1,443 km crude oil export pipeline system, is being constructed by a consortium including Total Energies, China National Offshore Oil Company (Cnooc), and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania. The pipeline will transport crude oil from the Kabaale-Hoima District in Uganda to a maritime port facility in Tanga, Tanzania. Despite promises of compensation from the project partners, many affected individuals report biased and incomplete compensation processes.

'French giant Total Energies and Cnooc have since then promised to compensate the victims but testimonies that have widely been shared on the internet prove that a biased compensation process that has entirely excluded a number of the persons affected by the pipeline was conducted,' said Martha Amviko, a student from Kyambogo University.

Students continuing to push for legislative action, the future of the EACOP project remains contentious. The petition delivered to Parliament highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach that considers both economic development and environmental preservation. The students' demands for reinstating displaced individuals, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring fair compensation highlight the broader implications of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities and ecosystems.

The students' march to Parliament and their subsequent petition serve as a testament to the ongoing debate over the EACOP project and its impact on Uganda's natural resources and local populations.

Key Takeaways

• Ugandan students protest EACOP project, citing environmental and human rights concerns.
• 1,443 km pipeline poses risks to biodiversity, endangered species, and local communities.
• Thousands of Ugandans displaced, many without compensation, due to pipeline construction.
• Students demand reinstatement of evicted individuals and environmental safeguards.
• EACOP project faces opposition from students, civil society, and EU Parliament over human rights violations.