Dar es salaam: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan have launched a new chapter in Uganda-Tanzania energy cooperation following the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at accelerating regional petroleum infrastructure, industrialisation, and cross-border trade.
According to African Press Organization, President Museveni, who arrived in Dar es Salaam for a two-day working visit, was received by President Samia at State House. The two Heads of State held discussions to strengthen bilateral cooperation and later witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), and Vitol Bahrain E.C. to jointly develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.
The partnership is expected to transform Tanga into a regional hub for petroleum storage, refining, logistics, trading, and distribution. It will complement Uganda's oil and gas projects, including the Hoima refinery, enhance energy security, expand export opportunities, and strengthen trade across East and Central Africa.
Uganda's Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero, emphasized the importance of the agreement as a demonstration of regional cooperation. She highlighted the potential for creating jobs, deepening regional trade, and strengthening logistics systems. Dr. Musenero stressed Uganda's commitment to maximizing value from its petroleum resources through downstream industries.
Dr. Musenero also revealed ongoing feasibility and design studies for projects under the partnership, including a refined petroleum products pipeline and a natural gas pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania. She highlighted progress on the planned Uganda-Tanzania 400kV electricity interconnector, which has secured financing for its section of the project.
Tanzania's Minister of Energy, Hon. Deo Ndejembi, described the agreement as a historic milestone in regional energy integration. He noted that while EACOP laid the foundation for collaboration, the Tanga Regional Energy Hub represents the next phase by creating value through refining, storage, logistics, and industrialization.
Hon. Ndejembi emphasized the complementary nature of the Tanga hub and Uganda's Hoima refinery, supporting Uganda's ambition to maximize value from its petroleum resources. He highlighted the potential for the projects to attract significant investments and strengthen regional energy security.
President Samia hosted President Museveni at a state luncheon in honor of his visit, marking the deepening cooperation between the two nations.