Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – On 7 February 2026, Uganda and Tanzania reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, setting out an ambitious and forward-looking agenda to deepen cooperation in energy, trade, infrastructure and regional peace. The renewed commitment was announced following high-level bilateral discussions held in Dar es Salaaam, culminating in a joint press briefing addressed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his host, President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
President Suluhu underscored the centrality of energy cooperation to the two countries’ shared development vision, noting steady progress on flagship projects linking their economies. “The implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline is on course, with oil transportation expected to commence in July,” she said, describing the project as a strategic investment that will anchor regional energy security and attract global capital. She added that discussions also covered plans for a gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda and a refined oil pipeline from Uganda to the port of Tanga, positioning Tanzania as a vital export corridor for Uganda’s petroleum products.
Beyond energy, trade facilitation featured prominently in the talks, President Samia said both leaders agreed to enhance Ugandan traders’ access to Tanzanian ports, particularly Tanga and Dar es Salaam, while extending railway connectivity deeper into Uganda to reduce the cost of moving goods. “We have agreed to work together to eliminate remaining non-tariff barriers because reducing these obstacles strengthens growth and consolidates the East African market,” she noted. The two Presidents also reviewed cooperation on regional peace and security, with President Samia revealing plans to support dialogue initiatives aimed at promoting stability in the Great Lakes Region. She warmly welcomed President Museveni, describing Tanzania as “his home,” and reaffirmed her country’s readiness to work closely with Uganda in pursuit of shared regional goals.
In his remarks, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni framed economic cooperation as a continuation of Africa’s liberation journey. “True prosperity today comes from producing goods and services competitively and generating income for our people,” he said, adding that safeguarding Africa’s independence depends on internal strength, unity and economic resilience. He highlighted discussions on strategic security and industrial specialization, observing that coordinated approaches such as Tanzania focusing on locomotive manufacturing while Uganda strengthens textile production can unlock efficiencies across borders.
As founding members of the East African Community, Uganda and Tanzania continue to demonstrate how principled diplomacy, anchored in mutual respect and shared opportunity, can translate into tangible benefits. The outcomes of the Dar es Salaam talks reinforce both countries’ positioning as stable, inclusive and attractive destinations for investment and tourism, while advancing a vision of a more integrated, peaceful and prosperous East Africa.
