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Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | NEWS CORRESPONDENT | Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and Natural Resources have concluded an oversight visit to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) facilities in Tanzania to assess project progress and preparations for Uganda’s first oil production.
The delegation, led by Ann Maria Nankabirwa, the Committee Vice Chairperson, undertook the visit as part of Parliament’s oversight mandate to assess project readiness, identify issues requiring government intervention, and update Parliament on the status of one of East Africa’s most strategic energy infrastructure projects.
The visit commenced in Dar es Salaam with a courtesy call on Uganda’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Amb. Col. (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, who highlighted the longstanding partnership between Uganda and Tanzania and the vital role of EACOP in strengthening regional integration and economic cooperation.
The High Commissioner noted that the largest section of the 1,443-kilometre pipeline is located in Tanzania and that Uganda’s crude oil will be exported through the Marine Export Terminal in Tanga.
“The partnership between Uganda and Tanzania has been critical to the success of EACOP. While the oil is produced in Uganda, the largest section of the pipeline is in Tanzania and the crude will be exported through Tanga, making this a truly shared strategic investment for the region,” Amb. Mwesigye said.
He expressed confidence in the progress registered across the project and reaffirmed expectations for first oil in December 2026.
Speaking during the visit, Nankabirwa said the Committee intended to obtain a first-hand assessment of project readiness and identify areas that may require Parliamentary or Government support.
“Our role is to establish the status of the project on the ground and identify any issues that require the attention of Parliament and Government. We are particularly interested in understanding project readiness, local content participation, corporate social responsibility initiatives, regional integration benefits and the social impacts of the project on affected communities,” Hon. Nankabirwa said.
At the EACOP Marine Export Terminal in Tanga, members of the Committee received detailed briefings on construction progress and preparations for receiving, storing and exporting Uganda’s crude oil.
The legislators were informed that construction of the terminal’s four crude oil storage tanks, each with a capacity of 500,000 barrels, had reached 94% completion, while thermal insulation works stood at 83%. Installation, testing and commissioning activities are currently ongoing to prepare the facilities for operations.
The Committee also received updates on the terminal’s export metering systems, fire protection infrastructure, backup power arrangements and operational monitoring systems. Project officials explained that solar power and emergency generators have been integrated into the facility’s design to enhance operational reliability while reducing the project’s carbon footprint.
The delegation later visited Pumping and Receiving Station Two (PRS2), where construction progress was reported at 96%, with operational readiness expected within weeks. Members were briefed on advanced monitoring and control systems designed to ensure safe pipeline operations and provide early detection of abnormal operating conditions.
During the engagements, Committee members sought clarification on project timelines, differing completion estimates and overall readiness for the anticipated first-oil target. The legislators also sought updates on compensation, livelihood restoration programmes, local content implementation and measures to address the concerns of Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
Nankabirwa emphasized the importance of ensuring that affected communities continue to benefit from the project while national development objectives are achieved.
“As Parliament, we must ensure that while these strategic national projects are delivered on schedule, the interests of affected communities are also safeguarded. Issues relating to compensation, livelihoods and community welfare remain important considerations for us,” she said.
The Committee further noted that any budgetary requirements identified during the oversight exercise could be considered through established Parliamentary processes, including the Budget Framework Paper.
“Where there are budget-related issues requiring government support, Parliament will consider them through the appropriate frameworks. Our objective is to ensure that no critical intervention is delayed as Uganda prepares for first oil,” Nankabirwa added.
Members commended the progress made on the project and acknowledged the efforts of the project teams, while emphasizing the importance of continued engagement with affected communities and timely completion of the remaining activities.
The visit was coordinated by the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), and Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy. The delegation was joined during the site visits by Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Amb. Elisha Gaguti.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Committee reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania in delivering the EACOP project and noted that the oversight mission had provided Parliament with valuable insight into the progress made and remaining activities ahead of first oil.
