Kyambogo University student arrested for protesting against oil project

By Charles Katabalwa

27^th June 2023

One student from Kyambogo university and attached to an NGO, the Justice Movement of Uganda (JMU),  Sharifu Bajiire has been arrested over unlawful procession to parliament protesting against the ongoing process of construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in Hoima district over its dangers to the environment.

The construction plan for the 1,445 Km long Oil pipe line from Hoima to Tanga in Tanzania is almost complete, as Uganda hopes to begin producing crude oil come 2025.

On Tuesday, over 50 students from various universities and other institutions of higher learning organized a peaceful demonstration to deliver a petition to speaker of Parliament seeking for immediate halt of EACOP.

While addressing journalists at the parliament premises Alfonso Nkulinziza who led the group alleged that the environmental impact as a result of the EACOP project was not given priority which is a danger to humanity, flora and fauna.

Besides the environmental problem, Nkulunziza says many people were displaced from their land without a fair pay as compensation to support relocation, leaving many suffering which should be addressed by Parliament.

Meanwhile, different students have given the reasons why they have also decided to match to Parliament.