Anti EACOP activists sue police, attorney General

KAMPALA. A group of activists under the “Stop EACOP” Campaign have instituted legal action against the Attorney General, as well as several police officers for alleged brutality against them.

The group also says apart from taking action against the police, they are also seeking that the court holds police officers individually and personally responsible for the violence meted out against them.

Expressing their concerns to the media in Kampala, the activists said they not only want to stop the police brutality but also seek compensation from them.

Bob Barigye, one of the activists says the security agencies have made it a norm to disperse, arrest, and even torture anyone who attempts to demonstrate against anything, even if legally and peacefully.

This is a continuation of the struggle by activists against oil and gas activities in the country particularly the East African Crude Oil Export Pipeline (EACOP) project, which they say will have adverse effects on the environment.

They also claim that people’s rights have been trampled on, including dispossessing them of their land without adequate compensation.

The government as well as the implementers of the projects, TotalEnergies, CNOOC Uganda Ltd, and Uganda National Oil Company, have denied the allegations, saying all their activities are within the laws of the country, international best practices, and their internal policies.

However, according to Ajoa Gertrude Noella, an activist all Ugandans have a right to express their discontentment, adding that there is no guarantee that the rights of the people as well as the environment are being protected.

Specifically, she accused the police of mishandling female demonstrators.

The activists, in conjunction with a team of lawyers led by Eron Kiiza who is also the Chief Executive at The Environment Shield, have compiled a chronology of incidents over the last three years, in which they accuse of torture.

They include demonstrations at the embassies of the European Union and China in Uganda and a procession to the parliament among others.

The alleged actions of police include beating, detention without trial beyond 48 hours, and violation of their rights like freedoms of assembly, speech, expression, and movement.

On why the activists have opted for courts of law and not the cheaper alternative of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Lawyer Kiiza says they no longer trust the state agency to protect human rights defenders.

He says taking on the errant officers will curb the claim that the illegal actions are done on behalf of the government.

Peter Arinaitwe, one of the lawyers, says they want the court to award their clients compensation for the losses they have incurred through the alleged police actions, order for the dismissal of the concerned officers, and an apology to the country.

He cites a university student who missed his final exams because he was detained, and can only get justice when he is compensated.

The eight activists said they were representing a total of 192 victims including youths, students, civil society groups, and oil-affected communities.

Accused alongside Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka are police officers Nsenge Alex, Sergeant Okoth James, ASP Okoyo Martin, Twinamatsiko Onesmus, Wabwire James, Wandera Jacob Bwire, and ASP Namanya David.

Others are PC Okello (Head of the Field Force Unit at Jinja Road Police), Assistant Superintendent of Police Patrick Opiyo, and Alex Micwemirungi.