Uganda is on the cusp of becoming a major oil exporter, with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project entering its final stages. This ambitious project, spearheaded by French energy giant Total and Chinese partners, aims to transport crude oil from Uganda's Albertine Graben to Tanzania's Tanga port via a 1,443-kilometer pipeline.
The Promise of Economic Growth
The Ugandan government anticipates first oil sales by 2026, two decades after the initial discovery of commercially viable oil reserves. The completion of a significant 75-kilometer stretch of pipeline connecting the Waiga River near Lake Albert to the Kabalega Industrial Park (KIP) is a key milestone. Hadi Watfa, EACOP's Lot-1 project manager, reports substantial progress on infrastructure, with concrete and infrastructure at Pump Station 1 (PS-1) reaching 67% completion.
Challenges and Setbacks
The EACOP project hasn't been without its hurdles. Initial timelines were pushed back due to the withdrawal of financiers and insurance companies. Despite these delays, the project is now gaining momentum. The Chinese-managed Kingfisher oilfield, a 40,000 bpd project, is notably ahead of schedule, with its feeder pipeline to PS-1 nearly complete.
The Human Cost
However, the pursuit of oil wealth comes at a cost. The EACOP project threatens to displace approximately 100,000 people from their homes and livelihoods. Stories like that of Ukura Midar, an 88-year-old Ugandan man forced from his ancestral land to make way for an airport supporting the oil industry, highlight the devastating impact on communities. Midar's relocation to a new settlement has severed his connection to his family's burial grounds, causing him immense spiritual and emotional distress.
A Fractured Future?
As Uganda moves closer to becoming an oil-exporting nation, it's crucial to consider the social and environmental consequences of the EACOP project. Balancing economic progress with the well-being of affected communities remains a significant challenge.