Uganda and Tanzania have agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in energy development, trade facilitation, infrastructure expansion and regional peace following high-level talks held in Dar es Salaam.
The commitments were announced during a joint press briefing by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and President Samia Suluhu Hassan after bilateral discussions between delegations from the two countries.
President Samia said the talks reviewed progress on key energy infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines linking Uganda and Tanzania. She confirmed that implementation of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project is on track, with oil transportation expected to begin in July.
She added that the two countries are also planning a gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda, alongside a refined oil pipeline from Uganda to the Tanzanian port of Tanga. The projects are expected to strengthen Tanzania’s role as a strategic export corridor for Uganda’s petroleum products.
On trade and logistics, President Samia said discussions focused on improving access for Ugandan traders to Tanzanian ports, particularly Tanga and Dar es Salaam, to facilitate smoother movement of goods. She noted that Tanzania had been requested to extend railway connectivity further into Uganda to enhance efficiency and reduce transport costs.
The Tanzanian leader emphasized the need to eliminate non-tariff barriers between the two countries, acknowledging that while cooperation remains strong, some obstacles persist. She said both sides agreed to work toward their removal, noting that freer trade would stimulate economic growth and reinforce the East African regional market.
President Samia also reaffirmed the commitment of both governments to joint energy production initiatives aimed at meeting domestic demand while supplying regional and international markets.
On regional peace and security, she said Uganda and Tanzania discussed strategies to promote stability in the Great Lakes Region, including plans to support dialogue initiatives to help address ongoing conflicts.
President Samia welcomed President Museveni to Tanzania and congratulated him and the National Resistance Movement on their electoral victory, attributing the outcome to the party’s manifesto and ideological clarity. She reaffirmed Tanzania’s readiness to continue strengthening cooperation with Uganda.
In his remarks, President Museveni said Africa’s independence, secured by earlier generations, must be protected through economic self-reliance. He emphasized that sustainable prosperity depends on producing goods and services competitively and generating income for citizens, describing economic transformation as a continuation of the continent’s liberation struggle.
President Museveni also highlighted the importance of strategic security cooperation, noting that the two countries addressed several regional security concerns during the meeting.
He said discussions included industrial specialization, with Tanzania focusing on locomotive manufacturing while Uganda concentrates on textile production.
He observed that while powerful nations may exert pressure on African states, the continent’s resilience depends on unity, internal strength and economic capacity.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation for the benefit of their citizens and the wider East African region.
