HOIMA, Uganda — The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. has partnered with the Hoima Catholic Diocese to support its “Running Out of Trees” (ROOTS) campaign, which aims to plant 200 million trees over five years.
EACOP, the company established to construct and operate the 1,443-kilometer (897-mile) East African Crude Oil Pipeline, pledged to plant 150,000 indigenous trees in districts along the pipeline route as part of its commitment.
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The initiative will involve collaborations with various partners to plant trees on institutional lands, including schools, churches, and land owned by the Bunyoro and Buganda Kingdoms. The focus will be on indigenous and fruit-bearing trees across the 10 districts hosting the EACOP project, aligning with the company’s commitments under the Uganda Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the pipeline.
Land contributions for the initiative include 70 acres from the Hoima Catholic Diocese in Munteme (Itohya Forest), 70 acres from the Registered Trustees of the Daughters of Mary (Bannabikira) in Masaka, 100 acres from the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Ggogonya, and another 100 acres from the Buganda Kingdom.
Speaking at the launch, John Bosco Habumugisha, Deputy Managing Director of EACOP Ltd., emphasized the broader value of the initiative. “Planting trees is more than just an environmental effort — it’s an investment in our future,” he said. “Trees are essential in combating climate change, improving air quality, conserving water, and preserving soil, while also supporting biodiversity. It is a key part of EACOP’s Socio-Economic Investment in environmental sustainability.”
Rt. Rev. Vincent Kirabo Amooti, Bishop of Hoima Catholic Diocese, echoed this sentiment. “It gives me great joy to be part of this significant step towards sustainability and community development,” he said. “Partnering with EACOP Ltd to restore our environment highlights the vital link between economic growth and environmental conservation. By planting trees, we reduce our carbon footprint, enhance green spaces, and promote biodiversity.”
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga in Tanzania for export. The major export system includes 296 kilometers (184 miles) of pipeline in Uganda and 1,147 kilometers (713 miles) in Tanzania, as well as pumping stations and a marine export terminal.
Following a final investment decision in February 2022, EACOP Ltd. was formed to construct and operate the pipeline. Shareholders in EACOP Ltd. include TotalEnergies (62%), the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC – 15%), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC – 15%), and CNOOC (8%).
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