Communities in Uganda and Tanzania have intensified protests against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), particularly over reports of potential Chinese financial support, in recent months.
Protesters have called on Chinese institutions, including banks and contractors, to withdraw from the project and instead invest in renewable energy initiatives. Concerns center around the devastating environmental impacts, displacement of communities, and broader climate risks tied to the pipeline.
EACOP is a planned pipeline stretching 1,443 kilometers from Hoima in Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. Its purpose is to transport crude oil from Uganda’s oil fields to international markets.
The project is led by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). Construction was initially set to begin in the second half of 2022 but has faced delays.
Opposition to EACOP began as early as October 2021, when critics in Uganda faced intimidation and arrests. In September 2022, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the project, calling for an end to extractive activities in sensitive ecosystems, including the shores of Lake Albert.
This resolution spurred further demonstrations, with students in Uganda arrested for supporting the EU’s stance.
In October 2023, approximately four dozen students attempting to deliver a petition to the Ugandan Parliament were beaten, and four were arrested. Despite these reports, TotalEnergies stated it was “unaware of any allegations by human rights and environmental defenders of threats or retaliation.”
In December 2024, residents affected by EACOP in Kikuube District, Uganda, protested near the district headquarters, demanding an immediate halt to the project. They expressed concerns over land loss, disrupted livelihoods, and environmental degradation.
Protesters have specifically targeted Chinese institutions like the Export-Import Bank of China (Exim Bank) and Sinosure, urging them to reject financing for the pipeline.05
The Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and other contractors are already heavily involved in EACOP, but the silence from Chinese stakeholders on Uganda’s claims about financing has raised further concerns among activists.
Protesters in both countries are urging their governments and international investors to prioritize renewable energy projects over fossil fuel infrastructure. They argue that sustainable energy solutions would better serve the region’s long-term environmental and economic interests.
