Reference is made to your communication to TotalEnergies referring to media articles dated February 27th and July 1st 2025, in relation to Human Rights Defenders in Uganda in the context of the Tilenga and EACOP projects. TotalEnergies takes such articles seriously and seeks to provide clarifications in a transparent manner. We remain open to constructive dialogue and engagement with our stakeholders on such important issues. As a first general remark, we would like to reiterate the importance we attach to public participation and freedom of expression in the civic space and highlight that we have communicated our own practice of public participation involving our projects.

TotalEnergies EP Uganda (TEPU) seeks to use its leverage with Ugandan public authorities whenever TEPU is informed of allegations of threats, intimidation, harassment, or violence against protestors in relation to its activities or EACOP Ltd.’s activities in Uganda, so that those authorities respect the rights of participation and freedom of expression. Messages from TEPU and EACOP to all project stakeholders, whether Government, CSOs and the general public have been consistent with TEPU and EACOP approach which promotes dialogue even with those who may not agree with the projects. TEPU’s and EACOP’s approach has been communicated to the highest level in the Ministry of Internal Affairs which provides oversight over matters of national security. Leverage TEPU and EACOP as operators of their respective projects in Uganda, continually engage with the Ugandan authorities to explain their respective Codes of Conduct (TotalEnergies Code of Conduct12 and EACOP Code of Conduct13) and to build trust in order to be able to influence the authorities. For many years now, TEPU and EACOP continuously sought and will keep seeking to exercise available leverage, proactively as a preventive measure, and reactively when incidents unfortunately occur, for issues related to human rights defenders.

Referring to the media articles that BHRRC relayed to TotalEnergies concerning arrestations dated February 26th and April 23rd 2025, please note that the companies continuously engage with the Police by raising their awareness of the national and international human rights standards of law enforcement and the human rights implications of arrests during protests. Whenever TEPU is alerted of allegations of threats, intimidation, harassment, or violence against HRDs in relation to its activities or EACOP Ltd.’s activities in Uganda, the Country Security Team visits the police station and requests information on the protestors’ welfare, and advocates for the need to respect the human rights of the HRDs. Where particular concerns are raised in this regard, TEPU through the Country security Team or the General Manager may escalate its engagement for instance by contacting the Commander of the Uganda Oil and Gas Police, the Ministry of the Internal Affairs or even, where appropriate, higher levels of Government.

TotalEnergies’ full statement can be found above