REFERENCE NO. 44 OF 2025 ALERTE CONGOLAISE POUR LE ENVIRONMENT ET LES DE L HOMME & 2 OTHERS v. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA, THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGE AND THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

The Applicants allege that the Respondents’ actions and omissions regarding the implementation of the Tilenga and Kingfisher Oil Projects on Lake Albert (a shared natural resource between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo) are unlawful infringements on Articles 5(3)(c) and (e), 6(d), 7(2), 8(1)(c), 111, 112, 114, 116, 118, 119, and 120 of The Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, as well as the East African Community Common Market Protocol and the Protocol on Environment and Natural Resources.

The Applicants specifically contend that by proceeding with oil infrastructure and exploration without conducting a Transboundary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, failing to engage in early notification and cooperation, and omitting stakeholder consultations with affected Congolese communities, the Respondents have caused a significant decline in fish catch and created foreseeable risks of irreversible environmental harm, including water contamination, destruction of sensitive ecosystems like Virunga National Park, and threats to the livelihoods and food security of the lake-shore populations.