Students Against EACOP (SAEACOP) is a youth-led climate justice movement in Uganda that is fighting to stop the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The EACOP is a 1,443-kilometer long pipeline that would transport crude oil from Uganda’s oil fields to the Indian Ocean coast of Tanzania. The project has been criticized for its potential to harm the environment, violate human rights, and contribute to climate change.

SAEACOP is a diverse group of students from all over Uganda who are united in their belief that the EACOP is a dangerous project that must be stopped. The group is committed to using peaceful means to achieve its goals, and it has organized a number of protests and demonstrations against the pipeline.

SAEACOP’s work has been recognized by a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. The group has also been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Here are some of the key reasons why SAEACOP is opposed to the EACOP:

• The pipeline would damage fragile ecosystems. The EACOP would pass through a number of critical ecosystems, including the Budongo Forest Reserve and the Lake Victoria Basin. These ecosystems are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, and the construction and operation of the pipeline would likely cause irreparable damage.
• The pipeline would displace communities. The EACOP would displace thousands of people from their homes and livelihoods. Many of these people are already living in poverty, and the loss of their homes and land would only make their situation worse.
• The pipeline would contribute to climate change. The extraction and transportation of crude oil is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The EACOP would transport an estimated 240,000 barrels of oil per day, and this would release millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

SAEACOP is calling for a number of changes to the EACOP project, including:

• A full environmental impact assessment. An independent environmental impact assessment should be conducted to assess the potential risks of the project.
• Meaningful consultation with affected communities. Communities that would be affected by the project should be consulted about the project’s design and implementation.
• A commitment to using renewable energy sources. Uganda should develop its renewable energy resources instead of investing in fossil fuels.

SAEACOP is a powerful voice for climate justice in Uganda. The group is working tirelessly to protect the environment, the rights of communities, and the future of the planet.