**Ugandan Farmers File Legal Action in UK Against TotalEnergies-Backed Pipeline**
A group of Ugandan farmers has initiated legal proceedings in the UK High Court against EACOP Ltd., the operator of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), claiming violations of environmental rights. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by the London-based law firm Leigh Day on behalf of four farmers, with support from the campaign group Avaaz, which is facilitating a crowdfunding effort to finance the case.
The farmers contend that the 1,443-kilometer pipeline, which is designed to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, contravenes Ugandan laws that safeguard citizens' rights to a clean and healthy environment. They are seeking an injunction to halt the project before it becomes operational.
One of the farmers, Samuel Abedilembe, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Our land is our life. Without it, we have nowhere to go. Right now, we as communities don’t have access to clean and safe water.” Abedilembe reported losing 42% of his land due to the pipeline project, highlighting the significant impact on local livelihoods.
EACOP is noted as the world’s longest heated crude oil pipeline, with a planned capacity to transport 246,000 barrels of crude oil per day, according to a financing statement released by the company in March 2025. The ownership structure of EACOP Ltd. includes a 62% stake held by French energy giant TotalEnergies, while the Uganda National Oil Company and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation each own 15%, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation holds an 8% stake.
TotalEnergies has faced ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges from environmental activists regarding the EACOP project. Critics have raised concerns that the pipeline could displace over 100,000 individuals and have detrimental effects on local ecosystems and communities. A report published in November 2023 by the climate watchdog GreenFaith characterized the construction of EACOP as a "spiritual assault" on local communities, alleging that the company has repeatedly disrespected local customs and traditions, particularly concerning burial sites along the pipeline route.
In a separate legal action earlier this year, five French and Ugandan non-governmental organizations filed a lawsuit against TotalEnergies in a Paris civil court, accusing the company of causing "serious harm" to local communities, particularly regarding land and food rights. They also claimed that the EACOP and Tilenga oil development projects undermine the goals of the Paris climate accord. TotalEnergies responded to these allegations by stating that it had implemented action plans to protect local communities and biodiversity.
The recent legal action in the UK has drawn criticism from the African Energy Chamber, a non-profit energy advocacy group. The organization described the lawsuit as a form of foreign-backed litigation that undermines strategically important energy projects in Africa. NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, remarked, “This is colonialism 2.0... UK courts should not determine Uganda’s energy future. Ugandans should.”
As the case progresses, it highlights the ongoing tensions between energy development, environmental protection, and the rights of local communities in Uganda and beyond. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of the EACOP project and the broader discourse surrounding energy extraction in the region.