Both nations have jointly petitioned the Appellate Division of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) to dismiss a case filed by four civil society organizations (CSOs) from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania seeking to halt the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
According to The Citizen, Uganda’s Deputy Solicitor General, Mr. Charles Ouma, and Mr. Mark Mulwabo from Tanzania’s Office of the Solicitor General argued before a panel of five EACJ judges in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 24 that the appeal should be dismissed.
They contended that such lawsuits waste national resources and could set a precedent for future legal challenges against critical development projects
CSOs voice grievances
The discovery of 1.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil in Uganda’s Albertine Graben Region (2006) has driven exploration and development efforts, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The 1,443 km heated pipeline will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Hoima to Tanga, Tanzania, passing through 10 Ugandan districts and covering 2,740 acres of land. Uganda chose this route over a Lamu, Kenya alternative due to lower costs.
While proponents highlight economic and employment benefits for landlocked Uganda and Tanzania, critics argue that the project harms local communities and the environment.
Civil society organizations (CSOs), environmental groups, and affected communities have been vocal in opposing the project, citing various concerns.
Four civil society organizations (CSOs) from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania filed an appeal in December 2024—their second attempt to block EACOP—after a similar 2020 case was dismissed in November 2023 as time-barred.
Critics argue that the project’s harmful impact on local communities and the environment outweighs its benefits.
According to the Georgetown Environmental Law Review, 300 to 400 households will require resettlement, while 1,700 to 3,000 households in Uganda face economic displacement.
Many affected communities fear forced displacement, inadequate compensation, and delays in payments. Additionally, indigenous fishing communities near Lake Albert have already suffered due to restricted access to fishing grounds caused by oil exploration.
Despite promises of thousands of jobs, many locals claim these opportunities have yet to materialize.
Despite legal challenges, Uganda and Tanzania insist EACOP is unstoppable, with oil extraction expected by 2027.
The EACOP project
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a landmark infrastructure project connecting Uganda’s Albertine Graben oil fields to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga for export.
The pipeline, approximately 1,443 km (897 miles) long, will be the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline, necessary for transporting Uganda’s waxy crude oil.
With an estimated cost of $5 billion, EACOP is expected to transport 216,000 barrels of oil per day. The project is being developed by Total Energies, China National Oil Company (CNOOC), Uganda National Oil Company, and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation.
Despite its significance, EACOP faces substantial legal, environmental, financial, and social challenges.
