Ugandans protest EU Parliament decision
A section of Irate Ugandans have held a peaceful protest at the European Union (EU) offices in Kampala, over a decision to delay the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) by at least a year.
Last week, the European Union (EU) Parliament resolved that Uganda and Tanzania delay the EACOP project for one year, citing environmental and human rights concerns. Legislators stated that EU the project would affect many families, the ecosystem and the compensation methods were questionable.
However, this resolution has been disregarded by government officials from both Uganda and Tanzania, and has drawn wide spread criticism from Ugandans.
On Tuesday, concerned citizens led a parade of motorcycles with riders holding placards to show their dissatisfaction with the decision.
Ugandans protest EU Parliament decision
The placards read:
“EU stop neocolonialism and imperialism on Uganda’s oil projects”
“Our pipelines are safe EU, stand aside”
“EU Uganda Muji veeko oil kyabuggaga kyafe”
They briefly camped outside the EU offices located at Crested Towers on Hannington Road, in Kampala, demanding a stop to the meddling into Uganda-Tanzania affairs.
Frank Mawejje, the group leader says both the government and other partners have confirmed that prior to a final investment decision made in February 2022, a thorough environmental evaluation was done and affected families were approached for peaceful compensation.
The 1400km East African Crude Oil Pipeline project is largely funded by France based Total Energies holding 62 percent, Uganda National Oil Company, UNOC, and Petroleum Authority of Uganda.
EACOP runs from Kabaale, Hoima district to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania. 80% of the pipeline is in Tanzania.
Last week, President Yoweri Museveni blasted the EU resolution saying if Total Energy, the largest investor will drop out of the project, he is ready to pick up another investor.
“We should remember that Total Energies convinced me about the Pipeline idea; if they choose to listen to the EU Parliament, we shall find someone else to work with,” he said, assuring all that whatever happens, Uganda will have her oil flowing by 2025.
Parliament of Uganda also dismissed the EU allegations and resolutions. In a statement released by Thomas Tayebwa, the Deputy Speaker for Parliament, he stated that over 70% of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have either been compensated or resettled, and that others are undergoing livelihood improvement projects in agriculture, financial literacy, and vocational skills, among others.
“We are all aware that our Country has been gifted with sizeable oil and gas resources that are already generating and creating value for our people in terms of employment, provision of services and goods, technical and other skilling. These resources will also generate significant revenues for the State, support petro-chemical industrialization and the development of other sectors of the economy such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, health, among others.” He said
He further stated that efforts to fully compensate all project affected persons are ongoing, with cooperation from the local communities and leaders.
In an interview with the BBC recently, Elly Karuhanga, the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum boss allayed fears that the oil construction project was forcefully evicting land owners and that the project was unsafe.
“Every person whose land is passed on will be compensated, even the Deputy Speaker of Parliament made that clear. So far, 98 percent of people have agreed to work with us and only 523 households will be affected permanently and compensated. The construction is a transit corridor buried 6 feet underground and affects mostly farm lands and public roads,” he said
