By Witness Radio team.

Less than two weeks after Witness Radio’s publication detailing the increasing criminalization of EACOP activists in Uganda, another group of 9 anti EACOP activists, in a brave act of protest, has been arrested while delivering their petition to Stanbic Bank Uganda urging it to withdraw its financial support for the East African crude oil pipeline (EACOP) project.

The peaceful march to Stanbic Bank’s headquarters at Crested Towers in Kampala to deliver a petition was violently disrupted by armed police, with support from the Special Forces Command (SFC), a security unit tasked with protecting Uganda’s president.

On March 24, Witness Radio Uganda published an article revealing that 15 anti-EACOP activists had already been arrested in just three months of 2025. The first wave of arrests occurred on February 26, when a group of 11 environmental activists was detained while marching to the European Union Delegation. The second incident involved four members attached to Extinction Rebellion Justice Movement Uganda, who were arrested before they could reach Parliament to deliver their petition to Speaker Anita Among.

With the arrest of a third group on April 2, 2025, the total number of detained activists has now risen to 24, raising concerns among those who voice negative impacts caused by the oil development activities.

On March 26, 2025, EACOP Ltd., the company in charge of the construction and future operation of the EACOP project, announced that it had acquired financing provided by a syndicate of financial institutions, including regional banks such as Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited.

Following this development, the activists, undeterred by the risks, protested against Stanbic Bank’s decision to offer partial funding for what they described as a destructive project in a partial initial funding tranche, arresting 9 of them.

The nine, including Nalungu Habib, Kyosiimye Joe, Nalwadda Shamim, Wamboga Ivan, Katiiti Noah, Tamale Baker, Gumiisiliza George William, Nakabanda Benjamin, and Kizito Enock, were arrested outside the Stanbic Bank Uganda offices. According to Patrick Onyango, spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, the suspects will be charged with Common Nuisance.

In an April 2 petition addressed to Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer, Mumba Kalinfugwa, the activists, unwavering in their commitment, condemned the bank’s financing of the mega project due to environmental and human rights concerns.

The EACOP project involves the construction of a 1,444km heated pipeline from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania, which will transport crude oil from Tilenga and Kingfisher fields.

As a result of its negative impacts, the activists highlighted that 43 banks and 29 insurers have already distanced themselves from the project. They claim that the project has caused displacement of hundreds of people, abductions and forced disappearances of community leaders, and arrests of over 100 oil pipeline critics in Uganda and Tanzania after expressing concerns about the project.

Other banks announced in the syndicate include the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, KCB Bank Uganda, and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD).

The Activists, however, maintained that a group of banks’ decision to finance the EACOP project has marked them as enablers of climate chaos, environmental destruction, and the continued exploitation of Uganda and Tanzania’s natural resources for the benefit of international profiteers at the expense of local communities.

“The institutions agreeing to give capital to EACOP have marked themselves as enablers of climate chaos, environmental destruction, and the continued exploitation of Africa’s natural resources for the benefit of international profiteers- at the direct expense of local communities. Today’s arrests further confirm this reality- banks like Stanbic are not only bankrolling environmental devastation but are also complicit in suppressing those who dare to resist.”, said StopEACOP Campaign Coordinator Zaki Mamdoo.

According to Brighton Aryampa, a lawyer representing the activists, these arrests are unlawful and yet another example of the Ugandan authorities using repression to stifle legitimate dissent. He adds that Peaceful protest is a constitutional right, but time and again, those speaking out against EACOP face brutality, arbitrary detention, and intimidation.

Speaking to one of Uganda’s dailies, the daily monitor, the Stanbic Bank manager for corporate communications confirms that the bank is financing the EACOP project, justifying that it aligns with and balances environmental sustainability and economic development in the country.

The nine are currently held in detention at the Kampala Central Police Station, awaiting to be tried in court at any time.

By Witness Radio team.

There is concern over the escalating arrests of environmental activists in Uganda opposing the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). These have been frequently subjected to brutality and torture by the armed forces, especially during operations.

According to Witness Radio’s investigations, over 15 activists have fallen victim to the arrests since the start of this year, 2025, a number that is likely to escalate due to the continued brutalization and criminalization of the EACOP activists’ activities. These youth groups merge with different activist groups, including Students Against EACOP Uganda, Extinction Rebellion Justice Movement Uganda, and StopEACOP movement, among others, to demand justice and accountability over the Mega EACOP project.

The activists are against implementing the EACOP project, a significant oil development initiative that they believe will harm the environment and the people of Uganda. The project involves the construction of a 1,444 km heated pipeline from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania, transporting crude oil from Tilenga and Kingfisher fields. The activists’ concerns include disruption of ecosystems, water resource contamination, climate change, and oil spills. They argue that the project has already resulted in unfair compensation and resettlement, forced displacement, and loss of livelihoods to the host communities.

However, despite their efforts and substantial cause to protect both people and the environment, they are continuously faced with brutal arrests and charges, including public nuisance, unlawful procession, and inciting violence, among others.

Speaking to Bob Barigye, one of the activists, he expressed frustration over the charges against them, which he says have rendered them outcasts in society.

“Can you imagine raising an important issue and you’re labeled as nonsensical? Because we are exposing the project’s negative effects, we are being charged with common nuisance and inciting violence, among others. These charges have tarnished our reputations in our societies,” he revealed.

The government has often responded harshly to those opposing the EACOP project. Activists and affected communities have faced severe criminalization, persistent threats, and, in some cases, legal action for refusing to surrender their land for the project.

The latest incident happened on March 19th, 2025, when over 30 youths marched to parliament to deliver their petition to the speaker of Uganda, Anita Annet Among, in protest of the ongoing construction of the East African Crude Oil pipeline. The demonstrators were intercepted by armed police, resulting in the brutal arrest of four of them.

The activities attached to Extinction Rebellion Justice Movement Uganda had four of its members arrested, namely, Mpiima Ibrahim, Brian Wasswa, Lubega Hakim, and Ejimu Clavin, were later charged with common nuisance and are currently remanded in the Luzira Maximum Prison until March 25th.

In response to the arrest of its members, the Extinction Rebellion Justice Movement Uganda, on its x handle, posted, “Our fearless members have been brutally arrested and beaten while peacefully marching to Parliament to deliver a petition demanding an end to fossil fuel subsidies.” In a follow-up post, the movement added, “We demand their swift release and an immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies. This fight for justice and a sustainable future needs all of us,” the movement added.

Despite ongoing protests, the government has maintained that Uganda’s oil development project is irreversible and will proceed as planned. The EACOP project involves the construction of a 1,444km heated pipeline from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania, transporting crude oil from Tilenga and Kingfisher fields. The government argues that the project will bring economic benefits to the region and is being implemented with due consideration for environmental protection and community welfare. They also point to the potential for job creation and economic growth that the project could bring.

Nearly a month ago, 11 environmental activists were arrested while marching to the EU headquarters in Uganda to deliver their plea to one of its member states in France to stop their involvement and support of the EACOP project in Uganda.

The eleven were released and ordered to report to Buganda Road Court as a requirement for their bail bonds, while the four were remanded until tomorrow, March 25th.

Last year, the Witness Radio team recorded over 100 cases of arrests involving EACOP activists.

This year, the cycle of oppression, brutal arrests, and persecution of those opposing the pipeline has continued, with 15 cases reported in recent months.

However, these repercussions have not weakened the activists’ resolve. Instead, they remain steadfast in their determination to demand transparency and accountability regarding the project’s consequences. Their resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the importance of their cause and the need for continued support and awareness.

By Witness Radio team.

The committed environmental activists, who steadfastly advocated for halting the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project, have been granted cash bail after a week-long stint in prison.

Court led by Her Worship Jalia Basajjabalaba granted each environmental activist a cash bail of 100,000 Uganda Shillings.

The accused were arrested on February 26, 2025, as they were marching to deliver a petition to the European Union Delegation at their headquarters in Kampala, Uganda.

Upon arrest, they were arraigned before the Buganda Road Magistrates Court and charged with common nuisance, a legal term often used to describe actions that cause inconvenience or harm to the public or a section of the public.

The eleven include Shafic Kalyongo, Joseph Ssengozi, Namuddu Rahima, Gilbert Nayebare, Arafat Mawanda, Hillary Mangeni, Brilliant James Mufere, Desire Ndyamwesiga, and Keisha Ali.

The environmental activists wanted the EU delegation to use its influence over France, one of its member states, to stop supporting Total Energies in the EACOP project. The project has become a source of frustration for the Ugandan and Tanzanian communities.

Total Energy and Other shareholders, including the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, spearheaded the construction of the EACOP, which stretches 1,445 kilometers from Hoima, Uganda, to the port of Tanga, Tanzania.

The protesters emphasized that the pipeline project, which involves extensive land clearing and potential oil spills, will cause significant environmental damage and has already destroyed people’s livelihoods, particularly those dependent on agriculture and fishing in the affected areas.

The activists will appear in court for their April 8, 2025 trial.