France, July 9 -- Rights NGO Avaaz, which is supporting the case, has called it "first-of-its-kind" litigation against the $5.6 billion project, led by French energy giant TotalEnergies, which holds the majority stake.

Due to begin operating in 2027, EACOP would become the world's longest heated pipeline, running 1,443km (897 miles) from Uganda's oilfields near Lake Albert to the Tanzanian coastal port of Tanga.

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The claim was filed before the pipeline starts operating and asks the court to enforce Uganda's legal protections against a company incorporated in England and Wales.

EACOP has already faced several lawsuits in France, where a Paris court ru...