By Witness Radio team.
As the criminalization of critics of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project escalates in Uganda, Witness Radio-Uganda has learned that a group of eight environmental activists have been brutally arrested by armed police in Kampala.
According to eyewitnesses, the eight included Barigye Bob, Katiiti Noah, Mwesigwa Newton, Imaniraguha Newton, Byaruhanga Julius, Ndyamwesigwa Desire, Binntukwanga Raymond, and Mulimbwa were arrested outside the Chinese Embassy in Kampala, Uganda while delivering a protest letter to the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda calling for his government not to fund a disastrous project.
The eight activists, who chose to sit outside the embassy and shout messages such as “Stop EACOP,” had taken a principled stand not to leave until embassy officials came out to receive their letter of grievances and demands. However, this did not happen. Instead, the police swung into action and brutally rounded them up before being thrown into a police vehicle and taken away. The arrest occurred before no embassy officials had engaged with the protesters.
According to activists, the EACOP project has caused severe human rights violations, poses significant environmental risks, and will contribute to the climate crisis.
The EACOP is a project spanning 1,443km from Kabaale, Hoima district in Uganda to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania. It aims to transport oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to global markets via the port of Tanga.
According to the state house website, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday, April 4th, 2024 received a letter from the President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Xi Jinping, expressing his unwavering support for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP).
“Your Excellency, I received your letter, and I am very happy to let you know that I am in full support of EACOP. I believe that it will enhance socio-economic development for the region. I am confident that with the strong cooperation between our nations, this project will be a success,” message President Museveni on his X platform read in part.
The government of China has now joined the list of entities, including Total Energies, in funding the controversial and potentially disastrous project.
Several organizations advocating for energy just transition, climate, environmental, and land justice, including Witness Radio – Uganda, are calling for the immediate release of the climate activists.
The Eight are currently detained at Jinja Road police station as no charge is preferred against them yet.
