Bunyoro Community members worried of a threat to climate stability due to EACOP

Friday, June 20th, 2025 | By

There are growing concerns over the adverse impacts of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, EACOP. Community member residing and working along the pipeline say there are visible changes in climatic pertains that they attribute to the pipeline.

Ms.Annet Kasoro a community member from Kabaale village in Buseruka Sub county Hoima district says the traditionally known farming seasons are increasingly changing. She says this is making it hard for them to plan for seasons accordingly.

“We have seen heavy rains come at a time we expect sunshine and vice-versa. There huge winds that ever known in this area,” Ms.Kasoro explained.

Ms.Kasoro adds that the massive cutting down of trees to create way for the pipeline and the use of chemicals in the installation of pipes are a danger to the environment and climate stability.

“We do not have enough food for our families since farming is now hard. Our crops are destroyed by the too much heat because of the chemicals used and the unregulated cutting down of tree to create the pipe path”, Kasoro said.

Mrs.Kasoro and other community members raised the concerns during the meeting held in Buseruka Sub County with National Association of Professional Environmentalists {NAPE} in their outreach in the EACOP affected areas.

 Ms. Balondemu Spetuma of Kabaale Village also explained that there is a danger of water scarcity in the areas. She explained that almost all water sources are getting drained and thus making it hard to obtain water for domestic use.

“It is now to get water to use at home. Most of our wells are dry and we are now trekking ling distances to fetch water for domestic us”, she narrated.

Mr. Rajabu Bwengye Yusufu, the coordinator of Projects at NAPE and the Community Green Radio assured the community members of continued support through such engagements and provision of a platform on the community Green radio for the EACOP affected members of the community to air their concerns

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a mega project intended to transport crude oil from Kabaale in Hoima district, western part of Uganda to Tanga port in Tanzania with over 1443km long .It seemed to be a beneficial project to the natives but they say it’s more of a cures than a blessing since it benefits a few individuals.

STORY COMPILED BY JOAN NANTEZA