In the once-tranquil village of Avogera, Ngwedo sub-county in Uganda’s Buliisa district, 33-year-old Manyireki Easther has watched her life transform under the weight of industrial encroachment. A widow, she cares for her four children and six other dependents, her modest home providing sanctuary to them all—until recently. Easther’s already challenging life took a sharp turn when the nearby activities of oil companies, part of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, disrupted her home and peace.

Every day, heavy trucks rumble past her small property, each pass a reminder of a broken promise of prosperity. These trucks, operated by Pearl Engineering, a subcontractor for Total Energies, have caused significant damage to one side of her house, nearly collapsing it. Her walls bear the marks of cracks and dust; her once-pristine garden now lies buried under layers of dirt and debris. The community’s expectations that EACOP would bring positive change have slowly eroded under the weight of unmet promises and growing concerns for safety.

Recently, representatives from Pearl Engineering, Daphine and Raymond, came to assess the damage. They proposed only a temporary fix—poles to support the broken structure—but no offer of compensation for the land appropriated by the company. “I need to be compensated and leave this place,” Easther shared, frustration and fear in her voice. “It’s not safe here anymore, with all the dust, noise, road traffic, and lack of proper water drainage. We are surrounded by dangers we never asked for.”

Easther’s plea echoes the voices of many in the Albertine region, impacted by the EACOP project. Her dream is simple yet profound: she seeks a means to rebuild her life in a safer, quieter environment, free from the constant threats posed by the nearby oil activities. Easther’s resilience and unwavering hope for a better life reveal the true human cost of the oil industry’s expansion. As the EACOP project continues, her story stands as a plea for genuine, compassionate action—a call for responsible development that protects and respects the communities it affects.