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Should African countries still be allowed to produce their oil? Climate protectors want to prevent this in Uganda.
The protest is over quickly. The ten or so demonstrators have hardly unpacked their placards when they are carried away by the police. The young people wanted to protest against the planned oil pipeline in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
Legend:
On October 4, Ugandan activists demonstrated to show their support for the European Parliament’s decision to halt the construction of the East African oil pipeline.
Reuters/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Oil was found in western Uganda, and now the East African country wants to bring its crude oil onto the world market. The longest heated pipeline in the world is being built for this purpose. The viscous crude oil is liquefied with heat and flows 1444 kilometers through Uganda and Tanzania to the port of Tanga on the Indian Ocean.
Legend:
The pipeline runs 1,114 kilometers through Uganda and Tanzania to the port of Tanga on the Indian Ocean.
SRF
Uganda feels patronized
The so-called EACOP pipeline belongs to the majority to the French group Total. That’s why the EU Parliament recently commented on it: It demanded from Total that construction be suspended for a year because of environmental problems and the threat of evictions.
Legend:
Sarah Banage from the Uganda National Oil Company UNOC is certain: The pipeline will help solve Uganda’s energy problems.
SRF/ Samuel Burri
Uganda feels patronized, admits Sarah Banage from Uganda’s national oil company UNOC: “It’s absurd that this demand is coming now. We have long since clarified all environmental and social issues and wanted to start with the resettlement.” Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni called the EU’s interference arrogant.
Broad international campaign
But why is the EU Parliament dealing with a Ugandan pipeline? This has to do with the #StopEACOP campaign. It has a broad international base and is aimed, for example, at banks that want to provide loans for the construction of the pipeline. Or European politicians.
Legend:
Environmental scientist Samuel Okulony works for the Africa Institute for Energy Governance and is opposed to the pipeline.
SRF/ Samuel Burri
Ugandan environmental activist Samuel Okulony is happy about the support: “It’s a global campaign. If we pollute the environment here, it affects the whole world.”
The criticism of the pipeline opponents: tens of thousands of families would be resettled, important nature reserves would be cut through the pipeline. Uganda’s oil company, on the other hand, speaks of only around 1,500 families who need a new home – and would be compensated for it.
Uganda’s position is clear: the country wants to use its oil like Western countries have been doing for decades. And the climate? “The countries that are now pushing us towards solar and wind energy themselves need fossil fuels to survive,” explains Banage.
Activist Okulony, on the other hand, warns of the effects of climate change in Africa: “As a less developed country, Uganda suffers particularly badly. We’re making our own downfall!”