Ugandans launch online petition against halting oil pipeline works

Sep 17, 2022

The EU Parliament wants to delay the project for at least one year on account of breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Uganda and Tanzania.

Workers of Total E&P showing the Parliamentary Forum on Oil and Gas members around an oil well in Buliisa

Umar Kashaka
Journalist @New Vision

Ugandans have launched an online petition against a recently passed European Union (EU) Parliament resolution that seeks to halt the $3.8b (sh14 trillion) crude oil pipeline project in the East African region. 

The EU Parliament wants to delay the project for at least one year on account of breach of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Uganda and Tanzania.

However, Elly Karuhanga, a founding and senior partner with Kampala Associated Advocates, said he did not see a positive angle emerging from this resolution that was passed on September 15.

“It has united and galvanized us. The days of colonial orders have finally been buried and are over as we match to Tanga [in Tanzania],” he said in a tweet before signing the petition on Saturday, September 17.

Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka also tweeted that he had “just signed this important petition”.

“Please add your voice too, and share it with everyone: https://petitions.sumofus.org/petitions/denounce-eu-parliament-resolution-to-halt-eacop?source=twitter_share_button&utm_source=twitter&share=19995e3a-17f6-4dfd-90f8-9a678cef066d via @SumOfUs,” Kiryowa implored Ugandans. 

Other prominent Ugandans who tweeted that they had signed the petition included agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze, the executive director of Uganda Media Centre Ofwono Opondo and veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda.

“I just signed this important petition. It is a statement by all those who cherish the independence of African countries from neocolonial control and sabotage,” Mwenda said.

Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the senior presidential advisor on special operations and commander of Land Forces, also weighed in on the petition.

“I agree with comrade @FrankTumwebazek. All East Africans should sign this important protest note/petition. Defend our sovereignty. Africa will win!” he posted on his Twitter handle.

Ali Ssekatawa, the director of legal and corporate affairs at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, thanked Gen Kainerugaba and the Attorney General for endorsing “the struggle”.

“Let’s defend our right to self-determination from the subterranean, on land, in air and space! Let’s stop imperialists!” he implored Ugandans.

The 1,443km, 24-inch diameter heated and buried East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will help ship crude oil from fields in Western Uganda to international markets.

It will start from Kabaale, Hoima in Uganda to Chongoleani, Tanga in Tanzania, and will have a manifold in Kabaale, Hoima, six pumping stations (two of which will be located in Uganda), 27 heating stations and two pressure reduction stations.

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