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| Tanzanian President John Magufuli (R) and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP. PHOTO/FILE |
The four — the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights
Ltd and the Africa Institute for Energy Governance both based in Kampala; the
Nairobi-based Natural Justice-Kenya and the Center for Strategic Litigation Ltd
based in Zanzibar — want the construction of the pipeline stopped until the
matter is heard and determined.
In the case filed on November 6 through the Kampala based
M/S Semuyaba, Iga & Company Advocates together with Dalumba Advocates, the
applicants are seeking orders against both Uganda and Tanzania ensures that,
“prior to any similar project, the following are conducted; climate change
impact assessment; Human rights impact assessment; and meaningful, effective
and transparent public consultations ensuring robust community and broad public
participation.”
The four NGOs claim that the EACOP project, announced a
month ago by Uganda’s President’s Yoweri Museveni and his Tanzania’s
counterpart John Magufuli is yet to conduct an environmental and social impact
assessment as required by both the EAC Treaty and other international laws.
The NGOs are now seeking a permanent injunction against
Uganda, Tanzania and the EAC, whom they have sued, from constructing the
pipeline through protected areas, among other orders.
The pipeline will transport crude oil from Hoima district in
Uganda to Chongoleani in Tanga, Tanzania.
“As a requirement by national as well as the EAC law, the
project developer for the EACOP project in Uganda must be issued with a
certificate of Approval of Environment and Social impact Assessment approved by
the government of Uganda’s National Environmental Management Authority but the
same was not issued prior to the signing of the agreements by both Uganda and
Tanzania,” reads the application. The matter is yet to be assigned judges.
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