Environmental activists have accused Kenya’s KCB Bank of suppressing peaceful protests against the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

The 900-mile pipeline, set to transport oil from Uganda to Tanzania, has faced fierce opposition over environmental and human rights concerns, including displacement of over 100,000 people. KCB Bank Uganda is among the financial backers of the project.Last month, 11 activists delivered a petition to KCB’s Kampala headquarters calling for the bank to withdraw its support.

Instead, the group was arrested and remains detained, accused of illegal trespassing.“It is completely wild what happened: they entered the bank… to peacefully deliver their letter,” said StopEACOP campaign coordinator Zaki Mamdoo.

Brighton Aryampa, lawyer representing the activists, condemned the arrests: “They were simply highlighting the many negative impacts of EACOP, and they were doing so perfectly legally.”

Despite bail requests, the activists remain in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, awaiting trial on May 27. Aryampa called the bail denial “unusual” and “a worrying sign.”

Critics accuse KCB Bank of acting “overzealously,” likely due to fear of government backlash or to discourage further protests, according to Kenyan activist Abiud Onyach.Human Rights Watch has reported that the Ugandan government has used courts and security forces to silence opponents of the pipeline, which threatens local farmers and communities.

“The pipeline is an example of typical neo-colonial extraction,” Mamdoo said. “It exports crude oil abroad, while local communities bear the costs.”TotalEnergies, holding a majority stake in EACOP, said it respects human rights and promotes dialogue with authorities to ensure protesters’ rights are upheld.

On compensation, the project claims to have paid nearly all affected households and provided new housing.The controversy highlights growing tensions between development projects and human rights concerns in East Africa.