Uganda police detain 21 activists over oil protest

Police in Uganda have detained 21 environmental activists for demonstrating against ongoing oil developments in the west of the country. The campaigners argue the multi-billion-dollar oil project will have dire consequences for the local communities and the environment. Michael Baleke reports from Kampala.

News Central Africa reports Total Energies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation are conducting drilling activities in Lake Albert. The lake is believed to hold approximately 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil, of which around 1.4 billion barrels are currently considered recoverable. In a document obtained by the AFP news agency, the protesters made an “urgent plea to stop the ongoing violations of human and environmental rights associated with the EACOP project.”

The lake is believed to contain approximately 6.5 billion barrels of crude oil, of which around 1.4 billion barrels are currently considered viable for extraction. TotalEnergies has a 62% stake in the pipeline, with Ugandan and Tanzanian state-owned oil companies holding 15% each and CNOOC 8%. Uganda’s first oil is expected to flow in 2025.