DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
On the evening of 4th January 2026, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport, where she was warmly received by Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Amb. (Rtd) Col. Fred Meesigye, accompanied by Mr. Ronald Barozi. The Minister and her delegation later proceeded to Serena Hotel, Dar es Salaam, marking the start of a six-day official high-level field visit to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project sites in the United Republic of Tanzania.
The following day, together with Amb. (Rtd) Col. Fred Meesigye and the visiting delegation, the Minister attended a press briefing at the Ministry of Energy in Dar es Salaam. The delegation was received by Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Deogratius John Ndejembi, alongside EACOP shareholders and senior project officials. In her remarks, Hon. Nankabirwa expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Government of Tanzania and conveyed congratulations to H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania. She reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to continued cooperation, noting that EACOP remained a strategic project that strengthened regional integration and economic partnership. She observed that while much of the project’s progress had previously been communicated through reports and presentations, the field visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with on-site developments and enhance coordination.
The Deputy Managing Director of EACOP, Mr. Habumugisha John Bosco, briefed the delegation on technical progress, noting that the Marine Export Storage Terminal and load-out facility comprised four 500,000-barrel crude oil storage tanks, all erected and hydrotested, with thermal insulation underway. He reported that the onshore terminal had achieved 53% overall progress, while the offshore jetty now fully connected to the onshore terminal had surpassed 86% completion. With over 12,000 workers mobilised across Uganda and Tanzania, the project remained on track for readiness for start-up by 31st July 2026, with first oil loading at Tanga anticipated in October 2026. The session concluded with a group photograph before the delegation embarked on a five-hour drive to Tanga, where dinner was hosted by EACOP.
The Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Tanga Regional Commissioner, Hon. Amb. Dr. Batilda Buriani, who commended both Governments for the project’s transformative impact on local communities. She highlighted the emphasis placed on safety and environmental protection and expressed confidence that EACOP would be completed within the year. The delegation later visited the Tanga project site, where the Minister received further briefings and observed progress firsthand. The visit reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Uganda and Tanzania and their shared resolve to advance regional energy security, economic growth and sustainable infrastructure development through EACOP.
