Africa-Press – Uganda. President Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with Tanzania following high-level bilateral talks with President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam, with energy infrastructure, trade facilitation and regional security taking centre stage.
The discussions reviewed progress on key cross-border projects, notably the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), which the two leaders confirmed remains on course.
The 1,443-kilometre pipeline, linking Uganda’s oil fields in Hoima to the Tanzanian port of Tanga, is expected to transform the region’s energy landscape by enabling Uganda to export crude oil to international markets while delivering transit revenues and infrastructure development benefits to Tanzania.
Beyond EACOP, the leaders explored plans for additional gas and refined petroleum product pipelines aimed at strengthening shared energy security and supporting industrial growth in both countries.
The proposed projects are expected to improve fuel availability, lower transportation costs and further position Tanzania as a critical export corridor for Uganda’s energy products.
Energy cooperation was framed within a broader strategy to build long-term economic resilience in the region.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of reliable infrastructure in supporting production, value addition and competitiveness, particularly as East Africa seeks to reduce reliance on imported refined fuels and expand intra-regional trade.
Trade facilitation featured prominently in the talks, with discussions focusing on improving Uganda’s access to the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga.
Efficient port operations were identified as key to lowering logistics costs for Ugandan traders while increasing cargo volumes and revenues for Tanzania.
The two sides considered measures to streamline customs procedures, enhance cargo handling efficiency and address persistent non-tariff barriers affecting cross-border trade.
Railway connectivity was also highlighted as a priority area for cooperation. The leaders reviewed plans to extend and integrate rail links between the two countries, a move expected to ease the transportation of bulk cargo such as fuel, minerals and agricultural produce.
Improved rail infrastructure would complement pipeline projects, reduce pressure on road networks and contribute to more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable logistics.
On peace and security, Presidents Museveni and Hassan reaffirmed their shared commitment to stability in the Great Lakes Region.
They discussed joint efforts to address cross-border security threats and promote regional peace, noting that sustainable economic development cannot thrive without a secure environment.
The leaders underscored the role of regional frameworks in managing conflicts and supporting reconstruction and development initiatives.
The talks reflected a broader vision for East Africa’s future anchored in cooperation rather than competition.
President Museveni emphasized that Africa’s prosperity lies in production, value addition and strategic security, describing regional integration as a critical pathway to sustainable growth.
As Uganda advances toward first oil production and Tanzania consolidates its role as a regional logistics and energy hub, the outcomes of the Dar es Salaam talks signal renewed momentum in bilateral relations.
With EACOP progressing and new pipeline and infrastructure projects under discussion, Uganda–Tanzania cooperation is set to play a pivotal role in shaping regional energy security and economic transformation.
