By KT Reporter
In the face of mounting repression, climate activists are moving their protests from the streets to quieter, less visible channels like coordinated phone calls, petitions, and social media campaigns, as physical demonstrations carry high risks of arrest, detention, and harassment.
Barnabas Tugumisirize, National Coordinator of Climate Activists Network-Uganda, attributed the tactical shift to a recent surge in crackdowns on environmental defenders challenging fossil fuel expansion and broader climate activism. “We will not give up. We will continue finding alternative ways to deliver our message. Whether through social media, other online strategies, or, when feasible and safe, peaceful physical protests,” Tugumisirize.
Tugumisirize pointed out a trend in which peaceful environmental activists, especially youth, face arbitrary arrests, extended detentions, physical abuse, threats, and legal actions that treat legitimate advocacy as a security risk. He added that some are even charged with “terrorism-related offences” or similar accusations, despite engaging only in non-violent activities such as holding placards or submitting petitions.
In 2025 alone, authorities arrested dozens of activists, many young students, for peaceful actions like holding placards outside banks funding EACOP or attempting to deliver petitions. Notable cases include the August 1, 2025, arrest of 12 StopEACOP youth activists at Stanbic Bank’s headquarters in Kampala, charged with “nuisance on roads” and remanded to Luzira Prison.
Reports from Human Rights Watch, FIDH, and Global Witness document a pattern: arbitrary detentions, beatings, threats, and judicial harassment targeting those challenging oil projects, often under colonial-era laws weaponized against dissent. “Street protests once drew crowds and media attention, but now they lead straight to jail,” said a Kampala-based activist speaking anonymously for safety.
“We’ve seen friends beaten, phones confiscated, and families threatened. Phone-ins and mass calls to officials, banks, or embassies let us keep the pressure on without immediate physical risk.” The shift to online protest mirrors global trends where repressive measures, including anti-protest laws, surveillance, and vilification, are pushing climate movements toward lower-risk actions.
Tugumisirize said that, as they adopt a dual approach of in-person and online advocacy, they will continue to deliver the same message to those in power and to environmental offenders, urging action on climate change. He called on Ugandans and concerned citizens to join their voices and send a clear signal to the government and those responsible for environmental harm.
He noted that they will be online and will continue to send messages to the duty bearer to do their job and to implement better, more environmentally friendly policies.
Daphine Musimenta, a climate change activist, noted that many policies remain unimplemented, and the government needs regular reminders to act. She said one way to do this is through peaceful protests. Musimenta added that beyond holding the government accountable, activists must also alert residents about practices that harm the environment and contribute to climate change over time.
She said protests provide a platform to clearly communicate this message so that everyone understands their role in protecting the environment.
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