A sign warn no tresspass
Image caption, A sign in Chongoleani warns against trespassing on land set aside for the oil pipeline project

The International Energy Agency warned last year that the world risked not meeting its climate goals if fossil fuel projects were not stopped. Economic development is the priority for the two countries.

Juma Hamisi, not his real name, kept his distance as he pointed to the mounds of rubble in the open field. They show that the community used to live in a mix of concrete and grass- thatched mud houses.

At this time of year, the surrounding fertile land would normally be covered with a variety of sprouted crops, which would be enough to feed the village. It's also bare.

We used to be the main supplier of lemons. We can't harvest coconuts over there because it's not our land anymore.

The area where villagers used to live is now claimed by several signs bearing the name of a state agency.

Two years ago, some of the inhabitants of the Chongoleani peninsula sold their land for compensation after the government signed a deal to transport crude oil from the shores of Lake Albert in the west.

A terminal-storage facility in Chongoleani is one of the places that will be included in the 80 percent of the project that will be in the country.

Total and CNOOC have stakes in the venture.

Because of the waxy nature of Lake Albert's crude oil, it will be transported through a heated line. Only a third of the reserves are considered commercially viable.

The timing of the project has caused differing opinions in Uganda and beyond.

In September, the European Union waded into the controversy surrounding the Eacop and called for it to be stopped due to human rights abuses and concern for the environment.

The intervention was not welcomed by the governments of Uganda and Tanzania, who see the project as crucial to their economies.

Uganda's President said that the EU lawmakers were insufferable.

Africa has the right to use its fossil fuel wealth to develop, just like rich nations have done for hundreds of years, according to some advocates.

Africa has emitted 3% of the climate-warming gases compared to the EU's 17%.

Uganda's energy is almost entirely from renewable sources. It is about 80% in the country. The International Renewable Energy Agency says 22% for the EU.

Elison Karuhanga is a member of Uganda's chamber of mines andpetroleum.

Mr Karuhanga says that unlike wealthy nations which will remain wealthy even when their oil and gas revenue is removed, we can't afford to gamble the future of Ugandan generations.

The first oil is expected to be tapped in three years with at least 230,000 barrels pumped out every day at its peak, earning Uganda between 1.5 billion and 3.5 billion dollars a year. The country will get close to $1 billion a year.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Protests denouncing the EU's stance on Eacop have been held in Uganda

34 million tonnes of harmful carbon emissions will be produced each year, despite the estimated windfall. The area is rich in flora and fauna and is near a national park.

The project will have one of the company's lowest carbon dioxide emissions, according to TotalEnergies.

The French oil giant said that the route was designed to minimize its impact on the landscape and the environment.

Uganda's climate activist Brian says that the windfall from the project will benefit the country's elite. For security reasons, we're not giving Brian's full name.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption, Other Ugandans have called for the pipeline to be stopped

Despite threats of arrest and harassment faced by Eacop opponents, Brian continues to campaign for the country to switch to green energy as it committed to by signing the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015.

"You only use the oil and gas that's already developed," Brian says.

Tony Tiyou is the head of Renewables in Africa.

He says that he's also a practical guy.

If people don't have power in Africa, it will be hard to lift them out of poverty.

There could be wind and solar variability. It's not possible to have solar at night and wind doesn't blow when you need it. People talk about an energy mix.

The governments of Uganda and Tanzania have been contacted.

Despite the Paris agreement, global investments in fossil fuels still outnumber those in renewable sources.

You can't really export renewable at this stage, so you need to look at who will benefit from the project." Guess who'll benefit from exporting oil? Mr Tiyou is talking about western countries.

It's a point that Faten Agaad agrees with.

Financing for the green transition is not available for African countries. Fossil fuels are seen as a way to make money. The financing of fossil fuels is three times higher than for green energy, which is $30 billion to $9 billion.

The EU is accused of hypocrisy by her.

Although Eacop plans to build a refinery in Uganda for domestic consumption, it will most likely be used for export due to the war in Ukraine.

Uganda wants to benefit from its oil well into the future, but this may not be the case.

Europe is working towards a transition, not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the world. Even in Asian countries. Other large economies like Indonesia are also transitioning and China is currently the largest in solar capacity. Ms Aggad says that the risk for African countries is in the 20 to 30 year period.

The Cop 27 conference in Egypt will discuss how to balance economic development with fighting climate change.

Activists from developing countries have been putting pressure on rich nations to honor their commitment at Cop 26 last year for urgent funding for climate adaptation and mitigation projects, as well as to compensate them for the loss and damage that they have wreaked on the planet while building their own economies.

Image caption, Some Chongoleani residents used their compensation to build new houses which remain unfinished

Several unfinished concrete houses dot an area where villagers were relocated. The compensation was not enough, they said. Some people have invested in businesses that have failed.

Some people said they took up fishing after farming was no longer viable.

New arrivals from other parts of the country hope to benefit from the project.

Many in the community hope that the oil line project will replace lost farming income and bring prosperity to the village.

There is more reporting by the British Broadcasting Corporation in Africa.

  • Tanzania
  • Climate change
  • Uganda
  • Oil
  • Oil & Gas industry
  • Renewable energy