Summary:
- Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirms support for Uganda’s East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in a letter to President Museveni. Jinping expresses willingness to discuss financing and invites Uganda’s Energy Minister for talks in China. Museveni assures addressing project concerns and thanks Chinese investors for their cooperation in other projects.
KAMPALA (Examiner) – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda has received a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, reaffirming China’s unwavering support for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP).
The letter, hand-delivered by Ambassador Xue Bing, China’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Affairs, and read by Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, at the Kisozi Farm, emphasized China’s commitment to collaborating with Uganda for the success of the ambitious project.
President Xi Jinping highlighted the potential of the EACOP to bolster socio-economic development in the region. He also expressed China’s willingness to engage in discussions regarding financing for the project, extending an invitation to Ruth Nankabirwa, Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, to visit China for further talks.
The EACOP, stretching over 1,443 kilometers from Kabaale in Uganda’s Hoima district to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania, aims to transport crude oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to global markets via the port of Tanga.
In response, President Museveni underscored the project’s significance and assured the Chinese delegation that Uganda is diligently addressing all major concerns related to the project.
Furthermore, President Museveni expressed gratitude to Chinese investors for their cooperation in various completed projects, including the Isimba and Karuma Power dam projects, which collectively generate over 800 megawatts of electricity.
