Dar es Salaam – A high level stakeholder meeting is being held at the Ministry of Energy in Dar es Salaam between the Governments of the Republic of Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania as part of ongoing coordination and preparations for Uganda’s first oil under the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Project.
The meeting brings together a high level Ugandan delegation led by Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. The delegation includes 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 (UNOC); Ms. Zulaika Mirembe Kasaija, Board Chair, National Pipeline Company (NPC); John Bosco Habomugisha, Deputy Managing Director, EACOP; and Mr. Tony Otoa, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, UNOC.
On the Tanzanian side, the meeting is hosted by Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, Minister for Energy, and is attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Energy, the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, and the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA).
The stakeholder engagement provides an update on the overall status of the EACOP Project, which as of end December 2025 had reached 79% completion. Participants review progress across the pipeline, above ground installations, marine terminal facilities in Tanga, and supporting infrastructure, noting that construction activities are at peak levels and remain aligned toward achieving readiness for start up by 31 July 2026, with first oil export expected in October 2026.
In his remarks, Hon. Ndejembi welcomes the Ugandan delegation to Tanzania and reaffirms the Government of Tanzania’s commitment to supporting the timely and successful delivery of EACOP. He underscores the importance of the project as a flagship regional integration initiative and highlights Tanzania’s role in facilitating land access, regulatory approvals, and financing instruments to enable smooth implementation.
In her address, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa congratulates the leadership of Tanzania on the successful conduct of recent elections and conveys appreciation to H.E. the President of Tanzania for the unwavering support extended to the EACOP Project. She acknowledges that while the project has faced criticism, strong political leadership and cooperation between the two countries remain critical in sustaining momentum.
Hon. Nankabirwa notes that although she has been receiving regular technical and management reports on the project, the visit is intended to allow her to personally assess progress on the ground and gain a deeper understanding of implementation status. She emphasizes the strategic role of EACOP in enabling the transportation of crude oil to international markets and strengthening regional energy trade.
She invites the Tanzanian Minister for Energy to undertake a reciprocal visit to Uganda to observe progress at key facilities, including Pump Station
One, as a further demonstration of the close partnership between the two countries. She reaffirms that project teams are operating in high gear and working tirelessly to ensure timely completion. She further notes that come October this year, Tanzania will be hosting Uganda and other partners for the commissioning, marking a major milestone in the EACOP journey.
As a symbol of the strong bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries, the Minister for Energy of Tanzania presented a goodwill gift to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda, underscoring the shared commitment to the successful delivery of the EACOP Project.
The meeting also highlights the broader socio economic importance of EACOP, with leaders noting that the project is expected to support employment for thousands of people and stimulate skills development and local participation once associated infrastructure, including the refinery, is fully operational. Both sides emphasize the importance of preparing citizens with relevant skills to enable meaningful participation in the oil and gas value chain.
The meeting concluded with a shared reaffirmation of commitment by both Governments and EACOP partners to deliver the remaining works safely, sustainably, and on schedule, in the spirit of regional cooperation and mutual benefit.
