By Witness Radio team.
The Masaka High court, in a matter of urgency, will hear two cases filed by East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project-affected persons (PAPs) from the Lwengo, Kyotera, and Rakai districts on Monday, August 18, 2025.
The cases seeking both interim and mainstay of execution were filed by the PAPs on December 11, 2024, seeking to halt the execution of a court ruling delivered in October 2024.
Back in August 2024, the Attorney General of Uganda filed a case against 80 people who had refused to surrender their land for the EACOP Project. The families had rejected compensation because it was inadequate. Others were embroiled in land disputes as the rightful owners have not been identified, and some households lack land titles.
After three months, on October 1, 2024, the Masaka High court Judge, Justice Lawrence Tweyanze, ruled against 80 Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) and allowed the government to deposit the PAPs’ compensation in court accounts, with eviction and demolition orders against the people also granted.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, seven households filed an appeal, citing violations of their constitutional rights, notably under Article 26 of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, which guarantees the right to prompt, fair, and adequate compensation.
They also filed two applications seeking to stop their eviction and demolition. These include both interim and mainstay of execution requests.
The affected people requested a suspension of execution orders of eviction, demolition, and compensation, a deposit until the appeal is heard, recognition and protection of their right to due process, and protection from irreparable harm, including homelessness and hunger, that could result from the evictions.
According to the affected communities, the prospect of losing their land is a terrifying reality, leading to the loss of homes, livelihoods, food sources, and shelter, especially since the land is their only source of sustenance. They are, therefore, appealing to the court for protection.
“Our people will be left in absolute poverty and will be left to live like animals.” Mr. Cosmas Yiga, one of the affected, revealed that the court should act with urgency, fairness, and justice.
Their appeal is scheduled for a hearing on Monday, August 18, 2025.
