The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) welcomed a high-level delegation to Pump Station 1 (PS-1) in Kabaale, Hoima District, where senior government leaders gained firsthand insight into the progress of the EACOP project.
The delegation was led by the Hon. Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr. Flavian Zeija, and the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego. It included Justices of the Supreme Court, judicial officers, and senior officials from key institutions including the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), and other government agencies.
The visit formed part of the Judiciary’s Petroleum Sector Training Programme, an oil and gas familiarisation initiative jointly organised by PAU, UNOC, Bank of Uganda, and URA. The programme was designed to enhance stakeholders’ understanding of Uganda’s oil and gas sector, including its legal, regulatory, economic, environmental, and operational aspects as the country progresses towards first oil.
During the engagement, EACOP provided an update on construction progress, operational preparations, safety management systems, environmental safeguards, and the wider benefits the project is expected to deliver to Uganda and the region.
Our Deputy Managing Director, John B. Habumugisha, briefed the delegation on the project’s progress, highlighting that EACOP has reached 91% overall completion as construction advances towards operational readiness.
“The progress we have achieved reflects the strong partnership between government, our shareholders, contractors, communities, and the thousands of people working every day to deliver this strategic infrastructure. We remain committed to creating value through local content, skills development, and sustainable growth,” said John B. Habumugisha.
Since pipeline welding commenced in the third quarter of 2024, including works on the Tilenga Feeder Line, EACOP has continued to achieve significant construction milestones. A total of 1,536 kilometres of pipeline, representing 99% of the total length, has been welded, while 1,514 kilometres, equivalent to 98%, has been lowered into the trench and backfilled.
The delegation was also briefed on the role of Pump Station 1 as the starting point of the 1,443-kilometre export pipeline. Crude oil from the Tilenga Project in Buliisa District and the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube District will be received, measured, heated, and pumped from PS-1 before being transported through the pipeline to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania.
The visit provided an opportunity for the delegation to appreciate the scale of investment taking place within Uganda’s petroleum sector and understand the infrastructure, systems, and processes being developed to support first oil.
Chief Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija commended the opportunity to see the project firsthand, noting that the visit provided clarity on the progress of Uganda’s oil and gas developments. He highlighted the importance of Ugandans understanding and sharing the country’s development journey based on facts and direct experience.
The Governor of the Bank of Uganda, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to assess the investments being made in the sector. He commended the level of local content participation, particularly the involvement of Ugandan workers, and noted the importance of building local capacity to support long-term operations.
Beyond construction progress, EACOP continues to contribute to employment creation, skills development, and local economic participation. The project has created opportunities for more than 13,000 people across Uganda and Tanzania, while supporting national content initiatives aimed at developing local expertise and businesses.
Following the visit to Pump Station 1, the delegation continued its programme with visits to other key oil and gas developments within the Albertine Graben. These included the Kingfisher Development Area and Kabalega International Airport, providing a broader understanding of the interconnected investments supporting Uganda’s emerging petroleum sector.
