Ugandan farmers take oil pipeline dispute to UK courts
Ugandan activists participate in a demonstration over proposed plans by Total Energies and the Ugandan government to build the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), in Kampala, Uganda September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa
Ugandan farmers have taken their opposition to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) beyond domestic courts by filing a legal claim against TotalEnergies in the United Kingdom, marking a significant escalation in one of East Africa’s most closely watched energy disputes. The proceedings, brought before the High Court in London, raise wider questions about corporate accountability and the extent to which multinational companies may face legal scrutiny for the consequences of overseas projects, according to Reuters and Africanews on 7 July.
The claim has been brought by farmers who allege that the pipeline project has disrupted their livelihoods through delayed compensation and restrictions on agricultural activity. Targeting TotalEnergies’ UK subsidiary, the proceedings argue that decisions taken within the company’s broader corporate structure contributed to the harms experienced by affected communities in Uganda. By pursuing the case in the United Kingdom rather than solely through domestic courts, the claimants seek to test the legal responsibilities of corporations operating across complex international structures.
The litigation reflects a broader evolution in transnational environmental disputes. Communities affected by large-scale infrastructure projects are increasingly pursuing claims in the home jurisdictions of multinational companies, arguing that parent entities should not be insulated from accountability where corporate governance, oversight or decision-making is alleged to have contributed to harm abroad. As international investment expands, such cases continue to shape the legal and commercial expectations placed upon multinational enterprises.
The dispute also underscores the difficult balance between economic development and the protection of community rights. Supporters of EACOP argue that the project will strengthen regional energy infrastructure, generate export revenues and contribute to long-term economic growth in Uganda and Tanzania. Critics, however, contend that these anticipated benefits must be weighed against allegations of environmental risks and the social consequences of land acquisition affecting rural communities whose livelihoods depend upon agriculture.
Beyond the immediate claims, the proceedings carry broader implications for environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards within the global energy sector. As expectations surrounding corporate due diligence continue to evolve, multinational companies face growing scrutiny not only over their direct operations but also over the governance systems through which overseas projects are managed. The case is therefore likely to be closely watched by investors and civil society organisations assessing how legal accountability for cross-border projects continues to develop.
The proceedings also demonstrate the increasingly prominent role of foreign courts in disputes arising from international investment. Although the pipeline is located entirely within East Africa, the litigation reflects a growing willingness among affected communities to seek remedies in jurisdictions where multinational companies are headquartered or maintain significant corporate operations. This trend is reshaping the legal landscape surrounding environmental and human rights claims linked to global infrastructure projects.
Ultimately, the challenge extends beyond the future of a single pipeline. Whatever the outcome, the proceedings highlight the growing expectation that major infrastructure investments will be judged not only by their economic contribution but also by their adherence to environmental standards and human rights obligations.
Reuters, Africanews, maghrebi.org
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