CAF qualifier match between Uganda and Niger was temporarily brought to a halt yesterday after an environmental activist stormed the pitch to protest the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The protester, identified as Mugezi Nicholas, a student at Kyambogo University and member of Students Against EACOP Uganda, ran onto the field mid-match holding a banner and calling on French oil giant TotalEnergies to end its operations in Africa, specifically its involvement in the controversial pipeline project.
Witnesses say the incident occurred in the second half of the game, catching players, match officials, and spectators off guard.
Security personnel rushed to apprehend Nicholas, leading him off the field as the crowd reacted with a mix of surprise and confusion. The interruption delayed the match for several minutes before play resumed.
In a statement on social media, Students Against EACOP Uganda described the action as a bold stand for climate justice claiming the project threatens communities, ecosystems, and contributes to climate change.
East African Crude Oil Pipeline, a $5 billion, 1,443-kilometer project is designed to transport crude oil from Hoima, Uganda, to the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
It is backed by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), with the governments of Uganda and Tanzania as key stakeholders.
Supporters argue the pipeline will boost economic growth, create jobs, and position Uganda as a significant oil exporter. Critics, however, warn of potential environmental degradation, displacement of communities, and long-term climate impacts.
Activists have staged protests across Uganda, Tanzania, and internationally, urging financial institutions to withdraw support from the project. Mugezi’s pitch invasion marks one of the most high-profile demonstrations to date due to the visibility of the CAF match.
Officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have yet to release an official statement on the incident, but security at the stadium was visibly tightened after the disruption.
Local police confirmed that Mugezi was taken into custody for questioning and may face charges related to trespassing and disrupting a public event.
Neither TotalEnergies nor the Ugandan government has responded directly to the pitch invasion, but previous statements from both have defended the project as environmentally responsible and beneficial for the region’s development.
The protest highlights the growing role of Uganda’s youth in environmental and climate activism. Student-led movements like Students Against EACOP Uganda have increasingly used both online campaigns and physical demonstrations to challenge large-scale fossil fuel projects.
For Mugezi Nicholas and his fellow activists, the message is clear: they see the fight against EACOP as a fight for Uganda’s environmental future.
The disruption may bring renewed international attention to the EACOP debate, particularly as global scrutiny on oil projects intensifies ahead of major climate summits.
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