Kampala has confirmed ambitious timelines for East Africa's transformative energy project, with President Yoweri Museveni announcing the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) remains on schedule for completion within the coming financial year. The declaration came during Thursday's State of the Nation Address, positioning the infrastructure as pivotal to Uganda's economic transformation.

Massive Infrastructure Project Advances

Stretching an impressive 1,443 kilometers from Uganda's oil-rich Albertine Graben region to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, EACOP represents the world's longest electrically heated crude oil conduit. The $5 billion project is engineered to transport approximately 216,000 barrels of waxy Ugandan crude daily upon operational launch. Construction milestones indicate civil works across both Ugandan and Tanzanian territories will conclude within the 2025/26 financial window.

Economic Catalyst Beyond Oil

President Museveni emphasized EACOP's role extends beyond petroleum export, characterizing it as a strategic national asset poised to generate billions in revenue and accelerate industrialization. Complementary infrastructure developments reinforce this vision:

  • Kabalega International Airport in Hoima nears operational status
  • Over 700 kilometers of new tarmac roads now serve the Albertine region
  • These routes simultaneously support agricultural transport, tourism access, and general commerce

Downstream Developments Accelerate

Parallel efforts advance on refining capability. Uganda recently finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with UAE's Alpha MBM Investment Group to develop the long-planned Hoima Oil Refinery. This facility aims to process domestic crude, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has already initiated direct international procurement of refined fuels, a shift Museveni credits for recent local price reductions and supply stabilization.

"Previous arrangements saw Uganda purchasing petroleum through Kenyan intermediaries," Museveni stated. "Direct sourcing from refiners represents prudent economic management."

Comprehensive Energy Strategy

Government priorities for the upcoming fiscal year include:

  1. Expediting EACOP's final commissioning
  2. Advancing Hoima Refinery construction
  3. Developing Kabalega Industrial Park for petrochemical ventures
  4. Strengthening mineral governance through the Uganda National Mining Company

Stakeholders and Timeline

The consortium driving EACOP comprises TotalEnergies (62%), Uganda National Oil Company (15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (15%), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (8%). With global oil prices maintaining strength, Uganda anticipates commencing full-scale production around 2025/26, potentially transforming the nation's fiscal landscape through revenue generation and foreign investment attraction. This milestone follows years of developmental delays, positioning Uganda to finally capitalize on its substantial hydrocarbon reserves.

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#Museveni #East African Crude Oil Pipeline #Uganda Oil Projects #Energy Infrastructure #Regional Development