Voix du Paysan informs and empowers citizens: a commitment to social and climate justice.
In Lwengo, Uganda, an elderly woman named Teddy Nakintu is sounding a heartbreaking alarm. Her home is dangerously close to the construction site of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). Since the work began, she has endured daily disturbances: constant dust, noise pollution, and health hazards. Worried about her well-being and living conditions, she has asked to be relocated to a safer environment. But her request was denied—highlighting a disturbing imbalance between human rights and economic interests.
A Denied Relocation with Serious Consequences
Despite her advanced age and the clear risks of living near the construction site, Teddy Nakintu has received no alternative solution. According to the NGO AFIEGO, EACOP has decided to stand firm, disregarding the legitimate concerns of the most vulnerable locals. This refusal endangers the physical and mental health of this grandmother and underscores the lack of consideration for local voices in the project’s development.
A Wake-Up Call for Thousands of Other Affected Families
Teddy Nakintu’s case is not an isolated one. Her plea has become a symbol of resistance against the environmental injustice faced by many communities impacted by EACOP. It is urgent that authorities and companies involved respect the fundamental rights of local populations, including their right to a healthy environment. Ignoring this call means choosing profit over life.
The Editorial Team
