East African Oil Pipeline 60% Complete Despite Global Outcry
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), spanning 1,443 kilometers, is now 60% complete.
This pipeline is designed to transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanzania’s Port of Tanga, with a maximum capacity of 246,000 barrels per day. Once operational, it is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to both Uganda and Tanzania.
However, the project has sparked considerable controversy and opposition. Environmental groups, human rights advocates, and local communities—mobilized under campaigns such as #StopEACOP—have criticized the pipeline for its potential harm to sensitive ecosystems, including wetlands, national parks, and the Lake Victoria basin. These concerns highlight risks to biodiversity and the water supply for millions of people. Additionally, the project has reportedly displaced over 100,000 individuals and has been linked to allegations of human rights violations, including the intimidation, harassment, and arrest of activists.
