As an environmental activist and a proud graduate of Kyambogo University with a degree in Economics and Statistics, I have dedicated my voice and energy to the fight for environmental and climate justice in Uganda. I am honored to be part of Students Against EACOP Uganda, a coalition of young, conscious citizens who oppose the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) due to its devastating environmental andsocial implications. 

The EACOP project, if completed, will become the longest heated crude oil pipelinein the world, stretching from Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania. Its impacts threaten to displace thousands of people, destroy critical ecosystems such as wetlands and protected areas, and contribute to carbon emissions that will further exacerbate the global climate crisis. It endangers vital water sources, on which millions of East Africans depend for their livelihoods and survival. 

Alongside fellow activists, I have participated in peaceful protest marches to national institutions including the Parliament of Uganda, the European Union Embassy in Kampala, and to banks and insurance firms supporting this harmful project. These actions aim to hold leaders and financiers accountable and to push for a just energytransition that protects both people and the planet. 

Driven by the same passion, I am launching a community-centered environmental project titled “Let’s Recycle”. This initiative aims to start within universities suchas Kyambogo and Makerere, as well as primary schools, with a focus on collecting andrecycling plastic bottles. The goal is to instill a culture of environmental responsibilityamong students and create cleaner, safer learning environments. Through educational campaigns and strategic partnerships, Let’s Recycle will empower youth to take charge of their environment and be part of sustainable waste management solutions. 

Together, we can say no to environmentally destructive projects and yes to youth-led, locally driven green solutions. The future is ours to protect. 

Source : Mutegeki Ronald