Sarah Ferguson from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law discusses the current fight against fossil fuels in Uganda. Human Rights Watch (HRW) raised concerns about the arrests and repression of protests against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The EACOP spans a total length of 1,500 km (932 miles) from Uganda to Tanzania and is projected to produce nearly 400 million tonnes of CO₂ over the course of its 25-year operation. Often referred to as a “carbon bomb,” the pipeline poses serious threats to surrounding communities and ecosystems. HRW has already documented the inadequate compensation given to farmers for their land, as the construction of EACOP has required widespread land acquisition across East Africa. Protesters raised concerns with HRW about harassment and threats targeting affected communities, as well as arbitrary arrests and detentions without charge in undisclosed locations. Following Uganda’s 2016 NGO Law, 54 organizations have been suspended. In 2021, police raided the offices of organizations working on EACOP, leading to the confiscation of materials, threats against staff, and forced closures. Ongoing protests against EACOP outside of Uganda have further contributed to uncertainty around the pipeline’s future.
