Museveni, Suluhu Discuss EACOP as Uganda Readies for First Oil in July

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Saturday held bilateral talks with Tanzanian President H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, with the two leaders agreeing to deepen cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania in key sectors including energy, trade, infrastructure and regional peace.

Speaking after the talks in Dar es Salaam, President Museveni described the discussions as fruitful, noting that both countries reviewed progress on major joint projects and outlined new areas of collaboration.

A key focus of the talks was energy cooperation, particularly the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which President Museveni said is progressing on course. The leaders also discussed plans for gas and refined oil pipelines, initiatives aimed at strengthening shared energy security and positioning Tanzania as a major export corridor for Uganda.

Uganda is projected to achieve its first commercial oil production by July 2026, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy sector. Key infrastructure projects, including the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields, alongside the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), are under advanced stages of development, with production expected to commence around that period.

Ugandan officials who accompanied Museveni to the talks in Tanzanaia

Trade and infrastructure development featured prominently in the discussions. The two presidents agreed to improve trade facilitation by enhancing access to the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, extending railway connectivity between the two countries, and eliminating non-tariff barriers that hinder cross-border commerce.

On regional peace and security, Museveni and Samia exchanged views on joint efforts to promote stability in the Great Lakes Region, reaffirming their commitment to collective approaches to peace and security.

President Museveni emphasized that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on production, value addition and strategic security, underscoring the importance of strong regional partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

Ministers Rebecca Kadaga (East African Community Affairs), Ruth Nankabirwa (Energy and Mineral Development), Gen. Wilson Mbadi (Trade), John Mulimba (State Minister for Foreign Affairs), and Fred Byamukama (State Minister for Transport), Col Fred Mwesigye, Uganda’s Ambassador to Tanzania, among others, formed part of the delegation that accompanied President Museveni for the talks.

Uganda and Tanzania share long-standing diplomatic and economic ties and are key partners within the East African Community, with cooperation in energy and infrastructure viewed as central to regional integration and growth.