“Negative impacts outweigh the benefits”: Catholic Environmentalists in Africa on Uganda –Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline

He added, “There is significant oppression associated with the project, as those displaced from their lands to make way for the project are not adequately compensated and are not allowed to speak out.”

The Laudato Si’ Movement official further lamented, “Many individuals, including environmental activists, have been imprisoned or abducted because of this project. There is widespread physical violence and numerous human rights violations occurring.”

Credit: ACI Africa

People around Lake Albert in Uganda, where the oil is being extracted have reportedly been forcefully evicted, their fishing equipment being confiscated, and some stranded on where to go.

“The EACOP project is not therefore only affecting the land it is passing through, but also the livelihoods of the people along the line will also be affected,” the Nairobi-based Burundian national told ACI Africa during the July 26 interview. 

Mr. Kezamutima went on to express fears about possible oil spills, which he said could contaminate marine environments, harming aquatic life, and seeping into people's farms, damage the soil and negatively affect the agricultural sector. 

Credit: ACI Africa

“The future looks bleak, as climate change results from prolonged human activities,” he said, adding in reference to EACOP, “If this project proceeds, the resulting environmental degradation will exacerbate global warming, leading to persistent climate change.”

Also speaking to ACI Africa, the Programs manager at Laudato Si’ Movement in Africa, Ashley Kitisya, said, “We want to show solidarity with our colleagues in Uganda and Tanzania who are fighting against this pipeline project and fossil fuel developments.”

Ashley Kitisya. Credit: ACI Africa

“People worldwide are unaware of the injustices occurring in Uganda, including the displacement of residents, unfair compensation, human rights violations, and the militarization of areas where oil extraction is taking place,” Ms. Kitisya said.

The Kenyan Laudato Si’ Movement official said she finds it regrettable that oil extracted in Uganda, transported through Tanzania to Europe, will eventually be shipped back to Africa at higher prices.

Ms. Kitisya stated that their #The StopEACOP campaign, which began in 2020, has been effective, leading some insurance companies, including Britam, to withdraw their backing.

Credit: ACI Africa

“We share the impact of the project such as the cultural effects caused by displacement with any company that tries to fund the project telling them to reconsider their decision,” she said. 

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Ms. Kitisya appealed, “I would like to urge the Chinese government that, just in the same way they have invested in renewable energy in their country, let them do the same in Africa.”

Bramwell Lubeho, a student at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA), and a human rights activist said, “If we unite and advocate for the cessation of this project, it can be halted. Otherwise, if the evictions and land seizures continue, it will lead to chaos.”

Credit: ACI Africa

“I believe our campaign will make a change and stop the EACOP project and if we do not succeed, then there will be much loss and harm to humanity,” Mr. Lubeho said.

He added, “African governments need to unite and denounce the EACOP project with a clear explanation that it is not going to help our people because the advantages are more than the disadvantages.”

On her part, Gloria Munyiva Wambua, the chairperson of the Youth Network for Interreligious Brotherhood (YOUNIB) in Kenya, which is a partner of the Laudato Si’ Movement in the Stop EACOP campaign said that if the project goes on about 409 communities in Uganda alone will be negatively affected.

Credit: ACI Africa

“The issue is the lack of a clear framework or structure outlining how those displaced will be compensated. We are also advocating for land ownership rights, as the forced eviction of people for the pipeline's passage infringes upon these rights,” Ms. Wambua said.

The project, she said, has more adverse effects than benefits with regard to the environment and that it will also lead to the displacement of wildlife along its route, which will negatively impact the tourism industry.

“Our campaign aims to halt the EACOP project and is not politically motivated despite some attempts to politicize it. It is fundamentally a human rights issue that we are advocating for, with no involvement in politics,” YOUNIB chairperson in Kenya told ACI Africa July 26.