18 arrested in oil pipeline protests
Police in Kampala yesterday arrested 18 individuals who went marching to the Energy Ministry to deliver their petition to Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, expressing their concerns over the planned construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (Eacop).
The arrested individuals are part of the more than 50 students from various institutions under their umbrella body, Stuidents against Eacop Uganda, and a section of Eacop Project Affected Persons (PAPs) who are opposed to the building of the pipeline. Mr. Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, confirmed the arrests. “We are holding 18 people who had gathered or assembled unlawful;ly with the intent to march to the Ministry of Energy. They are currently being held at the Central Police Station in Kampala on charges of holding unlawful assembly,” he said…