Kampala witnessed dramatic scenes as police arrested nine youth activists who stormed Stanbic Bank’s headquarters to protest the financial institution’s involvement in funding the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The demonstrators, all members of the Students Against EACOP Uganda group, were taken to Kampala Central Police Station following their protest on Wednesday morning.

The protest came just days after EACOP Ltd announced it had completed its first round of debt financing on March 27. The $5 billion (Shs18 trillion) project has secured backing from a consortium of five African and Middle Eastern banks, with Stanbic Bank Uganda and its parent company Standard Bank of South Africa playing leading roles. Other financiers include the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) and KCB Bank Uganda.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the arrests, stating the activists would be charged with Common Nuisance. “We shall charge them with Common Nuisance. They will be presented in court either today or tomorrow morning,” Onyango told reporters. The protest involved over 50 activists, though only nine were detained.

Environmental groups have intensified their opposition to the 1,443 km pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Hoima to Tanzania’s Tanga port. In an April 2 petition to Stanbic Bank Uganda CEO Mumba Kalifungwa, activists noted that 43 international banks and 29 insurers have already refused involvement in EACOP due to environmental and human rights concerns.

“At a time when the world is grappling with the escalating effects of climate change, financing a fossil fuel infrastructure project is not only irresponsible; it is an active assault on our planet and our people,” stated the petition. Activists claim the project has displaced over 10,000 families and led to the arrest of more than 100 protesters, with some reporting abductions and rights violations.

Yudah Kaye, chief mobilizer of Students Against EACOP Uganda, challenged Stanbic Bank’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. “They are using our hard-earned money to fund a project that harms our environment and has caused suffering to thousands of families,” Kaye said during the protest.

The pipeline project is jointly owned by TotalEnergies (62%), Uganda National Oil Company Limited (15%), Tanzania’s Petroleum Development Corporation (15%), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (8%). While the Ugandan government promotes EACOP as crucial for economic development, environmentalists warn it will accelerate climate change, damage ecosystems, and disrupt communities along its route.

The protest highlights growing tensions between development priorities and environmental activism in Uganda. As international pressure mounts against fossil fuel investments, local activists are increasingly targeting financial institutions supporting such projects. The arrests come amid broader concerns about shrinking civic space in Uganda, where environmental defenders frequently face legal and security challenges.

Stanbic Bank Uganda had not responded to requests for comment by press time. The bank’s continued involvement in EACOP financing places it at odds with global financial trends, as major institutions like Credit Suisse and Barclays have ruled out participation due to climate concerns.

The detained activists await court proceedings while environmental groups vow to continue opposing the pipeline. With EACOP construction progressing, the confrontation between development interests and environmental protection appears set to intensify in coming months. The protest and subsequent arrests mark the latest chapter in Uganda’s complex balancing act between resource exploitation and sustainable development.

As global energy debates rage, Uganda’s youth have positioned themselves at the forefront of local climate activism. Their bold protest at Stanbic Bank underscores the generational divide in perceptions of the country’s development path, with young activists demanding accountability from both corporations and government over environmental commitments.

The EACOP controversy continues to draw international attention, with the project becoming a litmus test for Africa’s energy transition. While proponents emphasize job creation and energy security, opponents warn of irreversible ecological damage and climate consequences. As Uganda moves forward with its oil ambitions, the clash between economic aspirations and environmental stewardship shows no signs of abating.

With activists now facing criminal charges, the EACOP debate has entered a more confrontational phase. The coming weeks may reveal whether financial institutions reconsider their support or double down on the controversial project. For Uganda’s climate activists, the Stanbic Bank protest represents both a moral stand and a personal risk in their fight against fossil fuel expansion.