In Kampala, Uganda, student activist Maktum Kajubi is arrested during a protest against the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). It's not the first time — he's been detained over 10 times for opposing the pipeline as well as oil drilling in the Lake Albert region.
This time, he was injured after being knocked off a motorbike by a police truck while trying to escape arrest. Despite the pain and financial strain, Kajubi returns to the scene and later joins others at court to support fellow young activists jailed for delivering a petition to a bank funding the pipeline. Their message is clear: Uganda's oil ambitions are threatening its environment and communities.
Pipeline through fragile ecosystems
EACOP is a planned 1,400-kilometer heated pipeline backed by TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation. It cuts through sensitive areas like Murchison Falls National Park and skirts Lake Victoria, Africa's largest freshwater lake. Environmentalists have warned of irreversible damage to biodiversity and water sources relied on by over 40 million people.
Geoffrey Kamese of Bio Vision Africa highlights past spills and the risks of future ones. The human cost is high just for the construction — tens of thousands have been displaced, often without fair compensation. Critics argue that if the pipeline truly benefits Ugandans, why are they being jailed and intimidated?
Despite missing graduation and facing family pressure to quit his activism, Maktum Kajubi remains committed. He recalls how climate change disrupted his family's farming life, fueling his resolve. Despite the risks of continuing to protest, he remains undeterred, saying "people are dying because of climate change."
With construction of the pipeline over 60% complete, Uganda is pressing forward, betting on oil to lift millions out of poverty. But for Maktum Kajubi and others, the fight continues — not just against a pipeline, but for a sustainable and just future.
This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.