Uganda protests denounce EU oil project policy

A small number of protestors holding placards have assembled in front of the European Union's Kampala offices to voice their discontent with the organization's demand that Uganda stops a crucial oil pipeline project with Tanzania.

One sign reads, "EU respects Africans and their riches," while another state, "Our oil is our hope."

The EU parliament passed a resolution last week alerting the public to the project's potential for social and environmental harm and violations of human rights.

The contractors, France's Total Energies, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation have been requested by rights groups to halt the $10 billion (£8 billion) project until they find an alternate path because they claim that 100,000 people face the risk of being exhibited.

The 1,443km (896 miles) long East African Crude Oil Pipeline will connect Lake Albert in western Uganda with the port of Tanga in Tanzania.

The EU's objection to the project has drawn criticism from Tanzanian and Ugandan officials.

Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda, declared that nothing would halt the project.

"I read in the newspaper that the EU parliament ordered Total to halt construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Please don't waste time considering that.

With Total, we have a well-written contract. The initial batch of oil will be released in 2025. No one will be able to halt the oil project, the president declared on Friday of last week.