The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is widely touted as a beacon of economic progress and regional transformation. However, the #STOPEACOP movement, along with organizations such as Tasha Research Institute, Greenfaith Uganda, Global Justice Now, and the Center for Citizens Conserving Environment and Management (CECIC) have been sounding the alarm since its inception, exposing the exploitation, corruption, and devastating consequences it has inflicted on local communities.
Displacement and Unjust Compensation
For many residents along the pipeline’s path, EACOP has been a story of broken promises and deepening poverty. Farmers and villagers have been forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands, receiving inadequate or, in some cases, no compensation. Reports from Tasha Research Institute’s Observer Coordination Project document the harrowing experiences of those affected.
In Nkoni village, Nambi Regina finds herself on the brink of starvation. Despite promises of food rations for displaced individuals, she has received minimal support. The compensation she was given for her land—taken for the pipeline’s construction—was far below its value, making it impossible for her to purchase new land or sustain her family.
Nambi Regina: One of thee many that have been adversely affected by the EACOP project
Similarly, Matia Matovu of Kasoga village has suffered without any compensation for his seized land. He has yet to receive the promised food rations, leaving him in a dire situation. His plea is simple: full fiscal compensation for his land and the immediate delivery of food aid promised to those displaced.
Until now, people like Matia Matovu (pictured above) have never been compensated after their land was taken away to facilitate oil pipeline activities
Corruption and Environmental Degradation
The land acquisition process for EACOP has been riddled with irregularities. Many affected individuals were excluded from consultations, their concerns dismissed, and their rights trampled upon. The so-called “cut-off date” for compensation was arbitrarily determined, leaving many without legal recourse.
Meanwhile, the environmental impact of the pipeline has been disastrous. The project has disrupted ecosystems, polluted water sources, and led to deforestation. Despite assurances of environmental safeguards, local communities bear the brunt of these devastating effects. The risk to Lake Victoria, a crucial water source for 40 million people, cannot be overstated. Yet, government officials and corporations continue to turn a blind eye.
A Pipeline for the Few, Suffering for the Many
EACOP is a stark example of neo-colonial exploitation. While the pipeline carves a destructive path through East Africa, the oil it transports will not benefit the local population. Instead, it is destined for export, enriching international corporations like TotalEnergies and CNOOC while leaving affected communities in ruins.
Corrupt officials and business elites have used the project as a means of personal enrichment, siphoning off funds while affected families are left homeless and hungry. Job opportunities promised to locals have largely turned out to be low-paying, temporary positions, failing to provide any sustainable economic growth.
Resistance and the Fight for Justice
Despite intimidation and silencing tactics, activists and affected communities continue to demand justice. Climate activists like Patience Nabukalu have shed light on the project’s devastating impact, emphasizing the urgent need for global solidarity. Protests and advocacy campaigns have targeted financial backers and insurance companies, with the hope of stopping EACOP from proceeding further.
At the local level, organizations like Tasha Research Institute, Greenfaith Uganda, Global Justice Now, and CECIC remain steadfast in their fight. They document abuses, amplify the voices of the displaced, and push for accountability. Their message is clear: EACOP does not promise prosperity—it promises suffering, environmental devastation, and further entrenchment of inequality.
A Call for Action
The struggle against EACOP is not just about oil; it is about the future of East Africa’s people and environment. The international community must listen to those on the ground and take decisive action against the exploitation wrought by this project. Financial institutions and insurers must be pressured to withdraw support, and affected communities must receive the compensation and assistance they were promised.
The voices of Stella, Matia, and countless others cannot be ignored. Their plight is a testament to the broader injustices perpetuated by unchecked corporate greed and government complicity. The fight continues, and those opposing EACOP will not be silenced.