Ugandan Farmers Sue UK Company Over EACOP Pipeline

A group of four Ugandan farmers whose farmland lies directly along the planned route of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) has filed a lawsuit this week in the London High Court. The plaintiffs, representing the British company that is financing and developing the 1,400‑kilometre pipeline that will link Uganda’s oil fields to a port on the Tanzanian coast, allege that the project has infringed their property rights and failed to provide adequate compensation for land taken for construction.

EACOP, a joint venture involving British and Ugandan interests, has faced mounting criticism from environmental groups and local communities for its potential ecological impact and the displacement of residents. The farmers’ claim focuses on the lack of fair compensation and the absence of a transparent consultation process before the pipeline’s route was finalized. They seek damages and an injunction to halt construction until a proper settlement is reached. The case marks the latest legal challenge to the project, which has already been stalled by regulatory reviews and opposition from civil society groups across the region.

If the High Court rules in favour of the farmers, it could force a reassessment of the pipeline’s route or its compensation framework, potentially delaying the project’s completion. The British company has said it will defend the lawsuit and will continue to pursue the pipeline’s development in accordance with Ugandan law and international investment standards. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by stakeholders in the East African energy sector and by investors monitoring the regulatory environment for large infrastructure projects in the region.