Ugandan farmers and environmental activists are launching a high-stakes legal gamble in the United Kingdom, filing a suit in London in a final attempt to halt the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The move comes as the project—the world’s longest heated oil pipeline—reaches a critical tipping point, with construction estimated to be between 78% and 80% complete.
The strategy represents a pivot in the legal battle against the pipeline. After facing setbacks in regional courts and challenges in France, the plaintiffs are targeting the project’s corporate structure. Because the operating entity, EACOP Ltd, is registered at the UK Companies House, the farmers believe a London court offers a more independent and fair hearing to address the environmental and human rights concerns associated with the project.
Represented by the London-based law firm Leigh Day, the plaintiffs include project-affected persons (PAPs) from across Uganda. The group is supported by the global campaign organization Avaaz, which has initiated fundraising to cover the legal costs of the suit, which is expected to commence in May.
The London Pivot: Legal Jurisdiction and Corporate Accountability
The decision to bring the case to the UK is a calculated legal move. The plaintiffs argue that the pipeline violates the Ugandan Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to a clean and healthy environment. They further allege that the project breaches Uganda’s National Environment Act and National Climate Change Act.
Joe Snape, a solicitor at Leigh Day, noted that the case is part of a broader global trend of holding energy companies and infrastructure providers accountable for the emissions resulting from fossil fuel extraction. The fact that the pipeline is operated by a UK-registered company, he says, highlights the role of UK corporates in large-scale extraction projects within the Global South.
For the farmers, the urgency is driven by the project’s timeline. The $5.6 billion infrastructure project, initiated in 2016, is moving rapidly toward completion. Current projections indicate that the first oil exports are scheduled to begin in October 2026.
An Ecological Corridor Under Threat
The 1,443-km pipeline is designed to transport crude oil from oilfields in western Uganda to the port of Tanga in Tanzania. However, the route carves through some of the most sensitive ecosystems in East Africa. Approximately 460 km of the pipeline will run through the basin of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake and a primary source for the River Nile. Environmentalists warn that any leak or spill could have catastrophic effects on the lake’s water quality and the communities that depend on it.
Beyond the lake basin, the project threatens to disturb roughly 2,000 square kilometers of protected habitats. This includes Murchison Falls National Park, the Bugoma Forest, and the Taala Forest Reserve, impacting endangered species such as the African Elephant and Eastern Chimpanzee.
The climate implications are equally stark. Plaintiffs contend that the pipeline will result in more than 372 million tonnes of CO2e (greenhouse gas) emissions over its lifetime—a figure they claim is more than 58 times Uganda’s total annual emissions. This is particularly concerning for a region already grappling with record-breaking floods, erratic rainfall, and devastating droughts.
The Power Dynamics of EACOP
The ownership of the pipeline reflects a complex partnership between a global energy giant, a Chinese multinational, and two sovereign governments. TotalEnergies holds the dominant stake, giving the French company significant control over the project’s direction.
| Shareholder | Ownership Stake |
|---|---|
| TotalEnergies | 62% |
| Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) | 15% |
| Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) | 15% |
| China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) | 8% |
While the project has survived previous lawsuits in East Africa and France, the current effort to have Ugandan farmers sue EACOP in London is viewed by activists as the “last remaining path” to stopping the project. Avaaz has indicated that they will use the legal proceedings to increase pressure on insurance companies to withdraw their support for the pipeline, while providing direct cash assistance to families fighting evictions along the route.
A Precedent for Global Climate Litigation
The case arrives at a time when international courts are increasingly being asked to weigh the economic ambitions of developing nations against the global imperative to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The plaintiffs argue that extracting and transporting this oil contributes materially to global warming, exacerbating the climate crisis for those already living on the frontlines.
The outcome of the May filing will likely serve as a bellwether for how UK courts handle the extraterritorial environmental impacts of companies registered on British soil. If successful, it could create a significant legal precedent for other communities in the Global South seeking redress against multinational corporations in their home jurisdictions.
Disclaimer: This article provides information on ongoing legal proceedings and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
The next critical checkpoint will be the formal commencement of the lawsuit in London this May, where the court will determine the admissibility of the claims and whether an injunction can be placed on the final stages of construction.
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