in Depth

EACOP: A boon or curse for East Africa?

The world’s planned largest heated oil pipeline led by French Total Energies to export Ugandan oil outside the continent through Tanzania finds environmental, humanitarian and financial constraints. The project comes as Europe looks for energy alternatives and debates over Africa’s right to develop its own resources.

© Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, (middle) flanked by King of Bunyoro, Solomon Iguru the first (L) and Minister of foreign Affairs of Tanzania Dr. Augustine Mahiga (R) during the laying of the foundation stone for November 11, 2017 the starting point of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Kabaale, in the district of Hoima, Uganda. AFP PHOTO/ GAEL GRILHOT

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HUMAN IMPACT

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Uganda: Pipeline politics pits jobs and profits against homes and land The world’s largest heated pipeline will produce 216,000 barrels of crude oil per day as it covers 1,443km from Uganda to Tanzania. Its climate and hu...

© Total Energies’s workers build one of the first drilling pads in the Tilenga site where over 400 oil wells will be located on 6 October 2022. This site holds three oil blocks, and two of them will be exploited by the French company. Moreover, Tilenga borders the DRC where new oil blocks will be licensed at the end of the year opening Central Africa’s great reserves to the global market. (Photo: Pablo Garrigós)

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My land, my home?

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EACOP: Whose land is it? Since EACOP set foot in Uganda and Tanzania, Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have cited delays and unfair compensation for their land. In Uganda, farm...

© Three Rothschild giraffes walk through the Murchison Falls National Park where 31 drilling areas and several dozen oil wells will be built on 13 October 2022. Murchison Falls is the only place in the world where this specie of giraffe has survived without being reintroduced by humans. The Tilenga’s drilling pads will directly affect the movements of these endangered animals across the protected area as they will split in two the migration movements of the local communities. (photo: Pablo Garrigós )

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Spilling into nature

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EACOP: Oil at home: wildlife at Murchison Falls National Park threatened to be climate migrants The building is filled up to the top with mountains of wheel traps, snares and spears. A handful of elephant tusks in a small closet next door are kep...

© Heavy trucks and backhoes are working to complete the international airport promised as part of the social and economic package in Uganda. The works began in 2018 and it is expected to be operational by the end of 2023, becoming an industrial engine for the area. Photo taken on 10 October 2022 (Pablo Garrigós)

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Environmental colonialism

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EACOP: Uganda claims its right to develop its fossil fuels The European Parliament’s resolution against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has received criticism in East Africa as European countries f...

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running the show

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Uganda – Tanzania: Who’s Who in EACOP’s management and finance With French oil company Total Energies as the main shareholder, companies and banks from as many as 10 foreign countries are involved in the oil proje...

© The coral reefs of Tanga are among the best preserved in the entire western Indian Ocean. Scientists criticise project like EACOP as it is a direct threat to the conservation of these ecosystems and the fishing grounds they host. Photo taken on September 19, 2022 – . (Photo by Pablo Garrigós)

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conservation

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EACOP: An endangered Indian Ocean, oil’s way out of Africa Conservationists in Tanzania’s Tanga fear that the construction of the new port in Chongoleani will reduce the habitat of marine biodiversity, amongst...

© A general view of the Virunga National Park in DRC where new oil pads will be auditioned in December 2022. (Photo by Pablo Garrigós)

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alternative export route

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EACOP: Opening doors to oil developments in East Africa The Uganda-Tanzania oil pipeline can serve as an export route for other oil projects in landlocked countries. The DRC has already auctioned its blocks...

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