As pipeline nears finish, resistance in Uganda holds firm

One year ago, Eco Africa reported on student activist Maktum Kajubi and his repeated arrests for protesting Uganda’s oil projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). At the time, construction was more than 60% complete and Maktum had been injured during an arrest. The pipeline is now more than 90% complete, with Uganda targeting its first oil exports by the end of 2026. But Maktum has not given up. His protest group is now called Rooted in Resistance and wants to see Uganda abandon oil extraction altogether. He was recently back in court to support four fellow activists facing charges over an anti-EACOP protest. While some activists have won compensation through the courts, others remain in detention. Meanwhile, Maktum continues to face the personal consequences of his activism: he has been unable to complete his university degree, has lost the support of his family and is struggling to find work. But as Uganda moves closer to exporting oil, he pledges to continue protesting.