Uganda is on track to achieve its first oil production by July 2026, following progress updates from the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu reaffirmed the timeline during an inspection visit to Pump Station 1 (PS1) in Kabaale, Hoima District.
The visit, part of the ministry’s oversight of strategic energy infrastructure, assessed construction progress at PS1, the starting point of the 1,443-kilometre pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude oil to the Indian Ocean port of Tanga in Tanzania.
Project teams reported that overall EACOP progress has reached 79%, with strong momentum across construction, logistics, and installation activities in Uganda.
Addressing journalists after the inspection, Nankabirwa said progress in Uganda and Tanzania remains closely aligned despite differences in work types at various sites.
“What is happening in Tanzania and what is happening here in Uganda is different, but generally speaking, they are all moving towards the target in terms of completion. They are almost at the same level,” she said.
“Here in Uganda we are almost 100% at Kingfisher, while at the jetty in Tanga, the two-kilometre jetty into the sea is completed, the marine terminal and four marine tanks are done, electricity installation and water tanks are also in place.”
She emphasized that the pipeline’s success depends on readiness across the entire value chain, including upstream oil fields and export facilities.
“The East African Crude Oil Pipeline will not help us if Kingfisher and Tilenga are not ready. There is no pipeline that is hanging; all the pipes are insulated and laid down,” Nankabirwa said.
“Once oil starts flowing, revenue will begin coming in from transportation tariffs of about 12.7 US dollars per barrel transported.”
Preparations at the Tanga Marine Terminal are being synchronized to ensure smooth crude export operations.
“Ships are being aligned so that one loads within two or three weeks and another follows, to make sure we do not affect the tanks. These tanks are not meant to store crude for long, and there are logistical implications of holding crude in storage,” she explained.
Following the tour of facilities in Hoima, the minister expressed confidence that the country will meet its oil production timeline.
“We have toured and seen the level of preparedness, and we are convinced that come July 31 we shall be seeing oil being drilled and extracted from these very areas,” she said.
Nankabirwa also commended developers for adherence to environmental and social safeguards. “We are happy to note that environmental issues have been handled very well. We have not seen any flaring here because it is not acceptable by law,” she said.
She highlighted strong local content implementation, noting that about 78% of workers are Ugandans, including undergraduates undergoing industrial training.
EACOP has partnered with five universities to allow lecturers and students to participate in knowledge exchange and skills development.
“This collaboration is very good for our country. Ugandans must be informed that come July 31, we shall see first oil. The remaining work is to synchronize and harmonize, because the project is still evolving,” she said.
Construction milestones include 62% completion of the pipeline itself, with over 1,400 kilometres welded and more than 500 kilometres buried and backfilled.
Land acquisition along the entire Ugandan route has been fully completed.
At Pump Station 1, above-ground installation activities are progressing steadily, with concrete works at 75%, steel erection at 71%, piping and welding at 55%, and overall PS1 completion at 71%. About 750 personnel are currently deployed at the site.
The minister also noted that the final truck carrying line pipes arrived at Main Camp and Pipe Yard 4 on January 10, 2026, completing line pipe transportation for the Ugandan section.
Line pipe manufacturing was completed in China in September 2025, while insulation works were finalized in Tanzania in December 2025.
EACOP operations in Uganda will be supported by Pumping Station 1 in Hoima and Pumping Station 2 in Sembabule District, with power largely sourced from the national grid.
Construction remains at peak levels, with approximately 3,500 workers mobilized in Uganda and around 12,000 across both countries.
