President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has criticized the EU parliament for urging his administration to cancel a crucial oil pipeline project with Tanzania’s neighbor.
Two weeks ago, EU legislators approved a resolution alerting the public to the project’s potential for social and environmental harm as well as violations of human rights.
“Some of these EU MPs are insufferable and so wrong that they think they know everything but should calm down,” Museveni said at at the annual Uganda International oil & gas summit on Tuesday.
He added: “This is the wrong battleground for them. I hope our partners join us firmly and advise them. For us, we’re moving forward with our programme.”
The oil pipeline project has been hailed by Mr. Museveni as one that will advance the economy of the nation.
Rights organizations have requested the contractors, France’s Total Energies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, to halt the US $10 billion (£8 billion) project until they find an other path since they claim that approximately 100,000 people risk being relocated.
The 1,443km (896 miles) long East African Crude Oil Pipeline will connect Lake Albert in western Uganda with the port of Tanga in Tanzania.
