By Guest Writer
A high-level stakeholder meeting was held this morning 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 ahead of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project site tour.
The Ugandan delegation was led by Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, and included Eng. Geoffrey Ogwang, Acting Commissioner, Midstream Department; Eng. Herbert Mugizi, Acting Commissioner and EACOP Project Coordinator; Mathias Katamba, Board Chairman, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC); Zulaika Mirembe Kasaija, Board Chair, National Pipeline Company (NPC); John Bosco Habomugisha, Deputy Managing Director, EACOP; and Tony Otoa, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, UNOC.
The meeting was hosted by Hon. Deogratius Ndejembi, Minister for Energy of the United Republic of Tanzania, together with senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and sector institutions.
Discussions reviewed progress on the EACOP Project, which had reached 79% completion by the end of December 2025, and reaffirmed alignment toward readiness for start-up by 31 July 2026, with first oil export expected in October 2026.
In her remarks, Dr. Nankabirwa congratulated Tanzania on the successful elections and conveyed appreciation to President of Tanzania for the continued support extended to EACOP. She emphasized the pipeline’s strategic role in transporting crude oil to international markets, underscored the importance of assessing progress on the ground, and invited the Tanzanian Minister to visit Uganda to view key facilities, including Pump Station One. She also highlighted the project’s broader socio-economic impact, notably job creation and skills development.
The engagement concluded with both Governments reaffirming their commitment to deliver the project on schedule, symbolized by a goodwill gift presented by the Tanzanian Minister for Energy to the Ugandan Minister. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
