A high-level bilateral meeting took place at the Ministry of Energy in Dar es Salaam, bringing together officials from the Governments of Uganda and Tanzania to coordinate final preparations for Uganda’s inaugural oil exports via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The Ugandan delegation, headed by Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, included key figures such as Eng. Geoffrey Ogwang (Acting Commissioner, Midstream Department), Eng. Herbert Mugizi (Acting Commissioner and EACOP Project Coordinator), Mr. Mathias Katamba (Board Chairman, Uganda National Oil Company), Ms. Zulaika Mirembe Kasaija (Board Chair, National Pipeline Company), Mr. John Bosco Habomugisha (Deputy Managing Director, EACOP), and Mr. Tony Otoa (Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, UNOC).
Hosting the discussions was Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, Tanzania’s Minister for Energy, joined by senior representatives from the Ministry of Energy, Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).
Delegates received a comprehensive update on the EACOP Project, which stood at 79% completion as of the end of December 2025. They examined advances in the pipeline construction, above-ground installations, the marine export terminal in Tanga, and related infrastructure.
With activities at peak intensity, the project remains on track for operational readiness by 31 July 2026 and first oil exports in October 2026.
Minister Ndejembi extended a warm welcome to the Ugandan team and reiterated Tanzania’s firm commitment to ensuring the project’s timely and successful completion. He described EACOP as a cornerstone of regional integration and praised Tanzania’s contributions in securing land access, regulatory clearances, and financial mechanisms to support seamless execution.
In response, Minister Nankabirwa congratulated Tanzania on its recent successful elections and expressed gratitude to the country’s President for consistent backing of the initiative. She acknowledged ongoing criticism of the project but stressed that robust political leadership and bilateral cooperation continue to drive progress.
While noting that she receives regular technical updates, Dr. Nankabirwa explained that the visit allowed her to inspect on-site advancements firsthand and deepen her grasp of the current status. She highlighted EACOP’s vital role in transporting Ugandan crude to global markets and boosting regional energy trade.
She extended an invitation for Minister Ndejembi to visit Uganda and view key facilities, including Pump Station One, as a sign of deepening partnership. She assured that project teams are working at full capacity to meet deadlines and anticipated that Tanzania would host Uganda and partners for the October 2026 commissioning ceremony—a landmark event for EACOP.
In a gesture of goodwill and strong bilateral ties, Minister Ndejembi presented a gift to Minister Nankabirwa, symbolizing both nations’ shared dedication to the project’s success.
The discussions also underscored EACOP’s wider socio-economic benefits, including thousands of jobs, skills training, and greater local involvement once supporting facilities like the refinery become operational.
Both sides stressed the need to equip citizens with relevant expertise for active participation in the oil and gas sector.
The meeting ended on a positive note, with both governments and project partners recommitting to complete the remaining work safely, sustainably, and on schedule, in keeping with the spirit of regional collaboration and shared prosperity.
