The legal petition, filed via the law firm Leigh Day, aims to secure an injunction against the operation of the pipeline, citing potential damage to critical water resources, local wildlife, and regional biodiversity. Plaintiffs are also pursuing compensation under Ugandan law, arguing that the project—which connects the Albertine Graben to Tanzania’s Tanga port—poses an existential threat to the ecosystems along its route.

While the project faces significant judicial scrutiny, it remains a pillar of Uganda’s economic strategy. Backed by TotalEnergies and China’s CNOOC, the pipeline is designed to transport up to 246,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Tilenga and Kingfisher oilfields. Supporters maintain that the investment is essential for regional energy security and job creation, despite the years of controversy and delays that have shadowed its development. With construction potentially concluding this month, the farmers are betting on a court-ordered stoppage to prevent the first shipments, which are currently slated for late this year or early 2027.