The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Can. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu, has conducted an inspection visit to the EACOP project at Pump Station 1 (PS1) in Kabaale, Hoima District, as part of her mandate to oversee and monitor the implementation of strategic energy infrastructure projects.
The Minister was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Irene Bateebe, and a technical team from the Ministry. The visit focused on assessing construction progress at PS1, which serves as the starting point of the 1,443 km East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
Project teams reported that overall EACOP progress stands at 79%, with strong momentum across construction and logistics activities in Uganda.
Pipeline construction is currently 62% complete, with more than 1,400 km welded and 500 km buried and backfilled. Land acquisition along the entire Ugandan route has been fully completed, enabling uninterrupted construction works.
At PS1, Above-Ground Installation (AGI) works continue to advance:
- Concrete works: 75%
- Steel erection: 71%
- Piping and welding: 55%
- Overall PS1 completion: 71%
- Workforce on site: ~750 personnel
The Minister was also briefed on a major logistics milestone achieved on 10 January 2026, when the final truck carrying line pipes arrived at Main Camp and Pipe Yard 4 (MCPY4), completing line pipe transportation for the Ugandan section. Line pipe manufacturing was completed in China in September 2025, with insulation works finalized in Tanzania on 27 December 2025.
EACOP operations in Uganda will be supported by Pumping Station 1 in Hoima and Pumping Station 2 in Sembabule District, with power primarily sourced from the national grid to support lower emissions and operational efficiency.
Construction activities remain at peak levels, with approximately 3,500 workers mobilized in Uganda and a total workforce of about 12,000 across both countries. Teams are expected to maintain this momentum through Quarter 1 and early Quarter 2 of 2026, ahead of the transition into commissioning and start-up activities.
The Minister commended the teams for the progress achieved and reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring the project delivers first oil in 2026.
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