East African Crude Oil Pipeline Receives Over 2,200 Grievances from Communities

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline has registered and handled more than 2,200 grievances, AllAfrica reported on May 6, 2026. Company officials highlighted the figures at the 11th Annual Oil and Gas Convention. Barbara Nakayenze, the EACOP Human Rights Manager, said the grievance mechanism has been designed to be accessible with structures at village level, district consultative committees and local offices.

"If people trust the system, they will use it. If they don't, they will stay silent, and silence is dangerous for any project," Nakayenze said. Rosie Birungi, the social performance manager for Uganda and Tanzania, said parts of the pipeline route were adjusted to avoid graveyards and respect local traditions.

"Listening is not about slowing down projects; it is about building trust and delivering better decisions," Ms Birungi said. EACOP officials urged the public to use its toll-free lines and other engagement platforms to report grievances and seek information about the project. The grievance redress mechanism is playing a central role in building trust with host communities, AllAfrica reported.

Pauline Nansamba Mutumba, Director of Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services at the Uganda Human Rights Commission, warned that failure to respect human rights has led to the collapse of major projects across Africa. "Business and human rights is more than charity; they are about dignity and accountability," Ms Mutumba said.