Uganda and Tanzania recently held successful talks over the weekend regarding Uganda’s proposed petroleum importation policy and the progress of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. The meeting, attended by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu and Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, aimed to explore strategies for reducing fuel prices and enhancing regional collaboration in the energy industry.
During the discussion, Minister Nankabirwa Ssentamu presented Uganda’s plans for adopting an importation policy that would facilitate the acquisition of petroleum products from international suppliers at more affordable prices. The policy is expected to create an efficient framework for supplying and importing fuel, ultimately leading to lower costs for consumers.
“Following The President Museveni’s confirmation of having contracted Bulk and Refinery suppliers able to give us fuel at lower prices, I briefed H. E Suluhu Samia about Uganda’s proposed new policy on bulk importation and supply of Petroleum products to Uganda,” said Minister Nankabirwa through her Twitter Handle.
President Suluhu expressed her confidence in the economic benefits of the importation policy and the EACOP project. She commended Uganda’s commitment to providing affordable energy to its citizens, highlighting its positive impact on economic growth and the improvement of living standards.
The Ugandan delegation, including Ms. Irene Bateebe, Permanent Secretary of the Energy Ministry, also provided President Suluhu with an update on the progress of the EACOP project. The pipeline aims to transport Uganda’s crude oil to Tanzania’s Tanga port for export, further strengthening regional cooperation and fostering economic development.
In a related development, President Museveni revealed that a delegation had been dispatched to Tanzania to discuss procuring a significant quantity of petroleum products from reliable suppliers. President Museveni emphasized the potential cost savings his country could achieve by bypassing middlemen in Kenya.
He noted that middlemen were selling diesel to Uganda at a price of $118, yet the price for bulk suppliers and refineries is $83; whereas for petrol, middlemen would sell it at $97.5 and refineries would sell it at $61.5; and for kerosene, middlemen would sell it at $114 and the refinery at $79.
Both Uganda and Tanzania are committed to advancing their energy sectors and fostering collaboration in the region. Uganda is actively working on finalizing its importation policy and progressing the EACOP project, envisioning a sustainable and prosperous future for both nations.
