![Ugandan activists march in Kampala, Uganda, in support of a European Parliament resolution to stop the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline on environmental grounds [File: Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters]](https://kumasi.city/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2022-10-04T154006Z_909353339_RC2AUW9G8LV8_RTRMADP_3_UGANDA-OIL-1688987657-770x470.webp)
- Environmental activist freed after a week-long ordeal.
- The activist was severely beaten and abandoned
- HRW also condemned the Ugandan government's actions
An environmental activist campaigning against a major oil pipeline project in Uganda has been freed after a week-long ordeal.
The activist, employed by the Environmental Governance Institute (EGI), was reportedly found abandoned and severely beaten on the roadside.
EGI is fiercely opposed to the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a multi-billion dollar project transporting oil from Uganda to Tanzania.
They claim the activist was detained by the Ugandan military on Tuesday.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) expressed concern, describing the situation as a worrying escalation of repression against activists.
A Ugandan military officer confirmed the activist’s detention for questioning regarding his anti-pipeline activities, but denied any mistreatment during interrogation.
FIDH reports that at least 11 environmental activists faced harassment or detention by Ugandan authorities in the last few weeks.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) also condemned the Ugandan government’s actions, urging them to stop targeting those opposing the oil project.
HRW highlights the environmental and social costs of the pipeline, displacing communities and contributing to climate change.
French energy giant TotalEnergies is the major stakeholder in the pipeline project, alongside Chinese and Ugandan/Tanzanian government involvement.
