The first tanker carrying Ugandan crude from Hoima is set to depart Tanga in July, entering EACOP’s operational phase as East Africa’s boldest cross-border venture. Discussions also advanced a natural gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda and a refined petroleum products line back to Tanga, building momentum for energy security.
Leaders prioritized rail and ports: Tanzania updated on the Tanga-Musoma railway linking to Lake Victoria, SGR from Isaka to Rusaunga (with Uganda urged to extend to Murongo), and expanded Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara port capacities. These aim to slash transport costs, boost trade, and clear non-tariff barriers in the rising bilateral commerce.
Tanzania thanked Uganda for yielding the East African UN Security Council seat, pledging AU support in return, regional security talks backed Museveni’s Great Lakes dialogue push as current chair. Museveni framed cooperation around Africa’s independence pillars, political freedom, economic production, strategic security reviving 1965 Kampala Declaration ideals for coordinated industries like Uganda’s textiles.
On his first post-reelection trip (Jan 15, 2026), President Museveni stressed integration as essential against spillovers from instability, urging resource leverage and unity to avoid historical vulnerabilities. This partnership positions oil as a catalyst for shared prosperity, turning resource wealth into resilient regional growth.
