energy 6 August 2026 State House (Uganda)
Uganda and Tanzania Forge Deeper Energy Ties with Tanga Hub Agreement
Presidents Museveni and Samia Suluhu have launched a new phase of energy cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania with a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub. This partnership aims to bolster regional petroleum infrastructure, industrialization, and cross-border trade. Source: https://statehouse.go.ug/presidents-museveni-and-samia-suluhu-launch-new-phase-of-uganda-tanzania-energy-partnership
Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania have officially kicked off an expanded energy partnership, marking a significant step in regional cooperation. The leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), alongside Vitol Bahrain E.C., jointly develop the Tanga Regional Energy Hub.
This ambitious project is set to transform Tanga, Tanzania, into a crucial East African center for petroleum storage, refining, logistics, trading, and distribution. It is designed to complement Uganda’s own oil and gas initiatives, including the Hoima refinery, thereby enhancing energy security and expanding trade opportunities across East and Central Africa.
Uganda’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. Monica Musenero, highlighted the MoU as a testament to the leaders’ vision for a united and prosperous Africa driven by shared interests. She emphasized that the projects are strategic investments aimed at fostering industrialization, creating jobs for the youth, and deepening regional trade, rather than mere infrastructure development.
Uganda is committed to maximizing the value derived from its petroleum resources by developing downstream industries. Dr. Musenero noted that feasibility and design studies for a refined petroleum products pipeline and storage terminal are progressing well, with completion expected this year. Studies for a proposed natural gas pipeline linking Uganda and Tanzania are also in advanced stages.
Further strengthening bilateral energy ties, progress is being made on a 400kV electricity interconnector between the two nations, with Uganda securing significant financing for its section. This line will boost electricity exchange and create new trade opportunities.
Tanzania’s Minister of Energy, Hon. Deo Ndejembi, described the agreement as a historic milestone, building upon the foundation laid by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). He stated that the Tanga hub will transform the transported petroleum into prosperity, potentially attracting over US$20 billion in investments and positioning East Africa as a formidable global energy player.
Both nations affirmed that the Hoima refinery and the Tanga hub are complementary, with Tanzania fully supporting Uganda’s objective of maximizing value through domestic refining. The planned bidirectional pipeline will facilitate efficient product movement and enhance regional energy security.