The ongoing detention of 11 environmental activists protesting the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has sparked outcry, with human rights defenders accusing the state of increasingly using judicial systems to stifle dissent. The activists, arrested on April 23 at Kenya Commercial Bank’s (KCB) head offices in Kampala, have now spent over 70 days in remand. They have appeared in court four times, been denied bail three times, and endured five adjournments, largely due to the absence of the lead complainant. “We are outraged by the continuous detention of our colleagues because it is sending shockwaves to all the other activists, yet we believe the deadly project is affecting the people down there and they need our voice,” said Alphonse Nkurunziza, the team leader of Students Against EACOP Uganda. Unlike previous detentions, where protesters were typically released within a month, this case is testing the limits of Uganda’s tolerance for climate activism. The activists were charged with criminal trespass and remanded to Luzira Prison on April 27, following two days in police custody. “We believe this frustration is intentional; we believe there is a witch-hunt in this matter because last time, there was a high-ranking police officer who told us the next time they arrest activists, they will ensure that they stay in jail forever, and I think this is one of the plots,” said Samuel Wanda, one of the lead lawyers in the case.

The controversial $5 billion, 1,443km heated pipeline, a joint venture between TotalEnergies, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), CNOOC, and Tanzania’s TPDC, has become a flashpoint in climate and human rights debates. The government argues the pipeline is critical for economic development and will generate $2 billion annually. Activists, however, warn of environmental and social damage. With major international lenders backing out, the EACOP consortium turned to regional financiers, including KCB, Stanbic Bank, and Afreximbank. Protests against these banks led to the arrests. The first occurred on April 2 at Stanbic Bank; nine activists were arrested, later released. Then, on April 23, protesters stormed KCB, leading to the current wave of detentions. Legal officer Eva Kakuru from Youth Green Communities said, “These atrocities continue to happen to Environmental Human Rights Defenders as they are slapped with criminal charges for exercising their constitutional rights to assemble, associate, and move.” According to Section 302 of Uganda’s Penal Code, criminal trespass carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. Yet, the activists’ prolonged detention is viewed as excessive by observers.

“We, the host communities of the EACOP project, are outraged by KCB Bank Uganda’s silence and complicity in this case. Their actions, and their failure to act, show disregard for human rights and the fundamental freedoms of peaceful protest and dissent,” said Rachael Tugume, a community leader. Zaki Mamdoo, coordinator of the #StopEACOP campaign, added: “We are increasingly alarmed by the weaponization of Uganda’s judicial system to target and punish those who dare to speak out.” This is not the first time activists have faced backlash. Between May and November 2024, 113 anti-EACOP protesters were arrested during four demonstrations but later released. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has repeatedly said the pipeline is a priority project for Uganda and Tanzania and is proceeding as planned. In the face of growing opposition, Students Against EACOP Uganda say they are undeterred. “We shall continue to raise our voices until justice is done, for the people, the planet, and our future,” Nkurunziza said.