Activists Arrested for Protesting East African Crude Oil Pipeline

Four activists were arrested and detained at the Kampala Central Police Station in Uganda on June 11, 2023, for protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The activists, Bob Barigye, Mutesi Zarika, Naruwada Shamim, and Nalusiba Phionah, were protesting the environmental and social impacts of the EACOP, which would be the longest-heated oil pipeline in the world.

The activists were charged with inciting violence, but videos and pictures from the protest show that they were peaceful. The arrests come amid a growing wave of opposition to the EACOP, which has been criticized for its potential to displace communities, pollute the environment, and contribute to climate change.

The StopEACOP campaign, together with concerned citizens and human rights advocates, is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the activists. They are also calling on the government of Uganda and Tanzania to reconsider the EACOP and to prioritize sustainable development by shifting their focus towards renewable energy alternatives. Read the full press statement here.