EACOP construction works underway in Uganda
Nov 13, 2023
According to the pipeline construction manager, Ahamed Arafat, the construction of the route will kick start in early 2024 and is expected to be complete at the end of 2025.
Some journalists looking at Kingfisher feeder oil pipeline in Kabalega industrial area. (Photos by Ambrose Niwagaba Katoto)
Ambrose Niwagaba Katoto
Journalist @New Vision
_____________________________ Kingfisher feeder crude oil pipeline in Kabalega industrial area Photo by Ambrose Niwagaba Katoto
The construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) route is set to begin early next year with civil works ongoing both in Uganda and Tanzania.
The pipeline will transport 230,000 barrels of crude oil daily from the Kabalega industrial area in Hoima District, Uganda to Tanga Port in Tanzania.
According to the pipeline construction manager, Ahamed Arafat, the construction of the route will kick start in early 2024 and is expected to be complete at the end of 2025.
“Our target is to achieve completion by December 2025. In Uganda we have two pumping stations," Arafat said.
Lawrence Ssempagi, the EACOP compliance regulatory lead, says they are going to have 60 teams handling close to 100 kilometres each to hit the 2025 target. 
Currently, early civil works for the construction of main camps, storage terminal, and pipe yard are ongoing at pump station one at Nyamasoga in Hoima District, Kasambya in Kakumiro District, and Ssembabule District.
Stella Amony, the communication lead of the EACOP project, and Fred Bazaara, the liaison officer say that they are still handling a few cases of land acquisition.
"Before starting the construction of the pipeline route, we are going to give warning letters to those whose lands were affected but have been using the land," Fred Bazaara said
Similar to the Kingfisher and Tilenga feeder crude oil pipelines, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline which is 24 inches in diameter will first undergo stringing and welding before it is buried underground.
Following the signing of the final investment decision (FID) on February 1, 2022, between Uganda, Tanzania, and oil companies, project activities which include land acquisition, compensation, construction of replacement houses for project-affected persons, livelihood restoration, and procurement of materials for the construction of the pipeline started.
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