At least nine students arrested on their way to the European Union (EU) offices on Tuesday to protest the Uganda-Tanzania oil pipeline project will face charges of inciting violence.

The students were part of a larger group that carried placards on Tuesday, calling on French energy giant TotalEnergies to “Stop EACOP” as they marched through the city wearing their blue and red undergraduate gowns from Kyambogo and Makerere Universities.

EACOP is the abbreviation for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

These were, however, stopped by police officers in the vicinity of the Kingdom Kampala Mall and some of them loaded onto the ready police patrol cars.

Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson, told journalists this morning Wednesday that nine students were arrested in the “illegal” protest and would face charges.

Ugandans continue to have varying opinions about EACOP, with some arguing that the project should be abandoned due to human rights and environmental issues.