President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni received a letter from His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, expressing steadfast support for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP).
Delivered by Ambassador Xue Bing, Special Envoy for Horn of Africa Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and read by Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Zhang Lizhong, on Thursday, at Kisozi Farm, the message reiterated China’s dedication to collaborating with Uganda to ensure the project’s success.
“Your Excellency, I received your letter and am delighted to express my full support for EACOP. I am confident it will foster regional socio-economic development. With our nations’ strong cooperation, I believe this project will thrive,” read a portion of the letter. Spanning 1,443km from Kabaale, Hoima district in Uganda to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania, EACOP aims to transport oil from Uganda’s Lake Albert oilfields to global markets via Tanga Port.
President Museveni acknowledged the support and assured the Chinese delegation that all significant concerns regarding the project are being addressed constructively. Ambassador Zhang Lizhong informed the president that Chinese financial institutions are open to discussions on the project and extended an invitation to Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, to visit China for further deliberations.
During his remarks, Special Envoy Ambassador Xue Bing briefed the president on deepening bilateral relations between Uganda and China, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), and the planned Horn of Africa peace conference.
In response, the president thanked Chinese investors for their cooperation in completed projects like the Isimba and Karuma Power dam projects, generating over 800 megawatts. He welcomed further cooperation ideas between Uganda and China. President Museveni proposed collaborative efforts with China to advance infrastructure development, specifically a railway network establishment, emphasizing its transformative impact on Uganda’s progress and seeking technical cooperation from China.
“We aim to construct a railway system linking Uganda to the coast, utilizing the Engineering Brigade of the Army for construction. However, we require your technical and material assistance for this endeavor,” he informed the delegation.
He further emphasized the need for Chinese companies to invest in value addition at the source, urging them to engage in processing raw materials locally in Uganda to foster employment and economic growth.
Mr. Xue Bing conveyed President Xi Jinping’s admiration for Uganda’s achievements and contributions to regional unity and cooperation, citing successful hosting of international summits as examples. “We congratulate you, Your Excellency, for chairing the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the G-77+ China Summit. We believe this will bolster cooperation and unity among member states due to your wise leadership,” he said.
The Special Envoy also reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Uganda’s stability and development endeavors, highlighting the enduring friendship between the two nations.
“Our countries have maintained a strong relationship, and we assure you of continuous bilateral relations through FOCAC and the two big summits you now chair,” he said.
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