In August alone, 72 individuals were arrested for opposing oil exploration projects, marking a significant escalation in repression.
FIDH condemned this “new wave of arrests” and urged Ugandan authorities to halt the persecution of civil society members. The regime of President Yoweri Museveni has intensified its crackdown on activists opposed to the oil mega-projects in the Lake Albert region. Since May 2024, at least 81 arrests and detentions have been recorded, with the majority occurring in August.
“The Ugandan authorities must immediately cease their attempts to intimidate defenders and affected communities,” said Sacha Feierabend, FIDH’s Senior Program Officer. “These voices are crucial for protecting human rights and the environment, given the immense risks posed by these projects.”
The construction of large-scale oil sites, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Kingfisher and Tilenga projects, has sparked protests in Uganda and Tanzania. These projects are backed by TotalEnergies and CNOOC.
FIDH has documented numerous cases of judicial harassment, threats, and intimidation against activists working on these projects. One case of torture and incommunicado detention has also been reported. The organization called on companies involved in the projects to use their influence to end violence and harassment against human rights and environmental defenders.
Uganda’s civic space has been shrinking for years, but the repression has intensified in recent months due to increased protests related to oil projects. In August, 21 activists were arrested in Kampala while marching to protest EACOP. While one was released, the remaining 20 were detained until September 5. Three Ugandan and one Belgian activist were also detained in August while trying to visit the Chinese Embassy.
FIDH’s condemnation highlights the urgent need for Ugandan authorities to respect the rights of environmental activists and ensure their safety.
ODL/te/sf/lb/abj/APA