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The first 100km of pipes for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop), a joint project between Uganda, Tanzania, and foreign investors, has arrived in Tanzania. The project aims to transport oil from Uganda's oil fields to the port of Tanga in Tanzania, covering a distance of 1,445km.
The project, which is expected to cost $3.5 billion, has been hailed by the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as a strategic investment that will boost their economies and create jobs. The project is also supported by the French oil giant Total, which holds a majority stake in the venture, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).
However, the project has also faced fierce criticism from local communities and environmental groups, who say it will displace thousands of people and harm the rich biodiversity of the region. The pipeline will cross through wetlands, forests, wildlife reserves, and Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the source of the Nile River.
According to a report by Oxfam, the project will affect over 12,000 households and 80,000 people in Uganda and Tanzania, who will have to give up their land and livelihoods for the pipeline. The report also warns that the project will increase the risk of oil spills, water pollution, and climate change, as it will emit over 34 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
The project has also sparked legal challenges and protests from activists and civil society groups, who have called for its cancellation or suspension until the social and environmental impacts are properly assessed and addressed. Some of the groups involved in the campaign against the project include Friends of the Earth, Global Witness, and 350.org.
The project is expected to be completed by 2025, but it remains to be seen whether it will overcome the hurdles and opposition it faces. The project also faces uncertainty due to the volatile political situation in both Uganda and Tanzania, where the recent elections have been marred by violence and repression.
