The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Belgian Development Agency, Enabel, to advance Business and Human Rights principles across Uganda’s energy sector.
The partnership highlights both institutions’ shared commitment to ensuring that energy, infrastructure, and private sector development in Uganda are implemented in a manner that protects human rights, promotes social inclusion, and supports sustainable economic transformation.
The MoU is implemented under the European Union–funded Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda Project, co-implemented by Enabel and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. It seeks to enhance responsible business conduct, strengthen human rights due diligence, and support alignment with Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR).
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Kampala, EACOP Deputy Managing Director Mr. John Bosco Habumugisha reaffirmed the company’s commitment to responsible project delivery. “EACOP is committed to delivering the pipeline project responsibly – ensuring that growth, inclusivity, and human rights go hand in hand. This partnership with Enabel represents a shared commitment to sustainable development and responsible corporate citizenship.” He added that the collaboration reflects EACOP’s efforts to leave a positive and lasting legacy for Uganda and the region. “Built on good faith, mutual trust, and transparency, this partnership demonstrates our commitment to delivering not just an engineering project, but a responsible legacy.”
Mr. Nicolas Oebel, Enabel’s Country Director, emphasized that the initiative is closely aligned with Uganda’s national priorities. “Enabel is proud to collaborate with EACOP, a leading private sector actor, to translate the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights into tangible actions that safeguard rights and foster sustainable investment.”
Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ms Lydia Nabiryo, Ass. Commissioner Equity and Rights, welcomed the MoU as a significant step toward improving human rights performance in Uganda’s oil and gas sector. He noted that the collaboration will extend Business and Human Rights capacity-building efforts to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within EACOP’s supply chain, contributing to sustainable and responsible sourcing as well as national content development.
The partnership officially marks a renewed commitment to embedding human rights at the centre of Uganda’s energy development agenda.
