President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has revealed plans to make Tanzania a key export corridor for Uganda after meeting President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The two leaders held bilateral talks in Dar es Salaam on February 7, 2026.

The talks also focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and regional peace.

Museveni described the discussions as productive and confirmed progress on several joint projects.

“Today in Dar es Salaam, I held fruitful bilateral talks with H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan. We agreed to deepen Uganda–Tanzania cooperation in energy, trade, infrastructure and regional peace,” Museveni posted on X shortly after the meeting.

“We reviewed progress on key projects, including the EACOP, which is on course, as well as plans for gas and refined oil pipelines that will strengthen our shared energy security and position Tanzania as a key export corridor for Uganda,” he revealed.

“We also addressed trade facilitation, improving access to the ports of Dar es Salaam and Tanga, extending railway connectivity, and removing non-tariff barriers. On peace and security, we discussed joint efforts for stability in the Great Lakes Region,” he added.

“Africa’s prosperity lies in production, value addition and strategic security. I thank H.E. Samia for the invitation and the warm welcome.”

Energy, trade, peace talks

The visit was a one-day working trip, Museveni’s first official outing abroad since his re-election. He arrived at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam, where he received a guard of honour. The leaders met at State House for detailed discussions, with both delegations present.

Energy cooperation dominated the talks. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project featured prominently. The 1,443-kilometre pipeline will carry crude oil from Uganda’s Albertine Graben fields to Tanzania’s Port of Tanga on the Indian Ocean.

Museveni stated that the EACOP “is on course.” The project reached 79 per cent completion by late 2025, with technical commissioning expected in July 2026 and first oil exports planned for October 2026. The pipeline will help Uganda export its oil reserves and position Tanzania as a key transit hub.

The leaders also discussed additional pipelines to transport gas and refined oil. These projects aim to boost energy security and make Tanzania a vital export route for Uganda, which does not have direct sea access.

Trade and infrastructure were another focus. The presidents agreed to improve access for Ugandan goods through Tanzania’s ports at Dar es Salaam and Tanga. They discussed extending railway links to ease cross-border movement and committed to removing non-tariff barriers that hinder trade.

Peace and security in the Great Lakes Region formed a key topic. The leaders explored joint actions to promote stability in this volatile area, which has affected both countries and their neighbours.

The talks build on longstanding ties between Uganda and Tanzania. Tanzania serves as a crucial corridor for Uganda’s imports and exports. Enhanced cooperation promises economic gains for both nations and supports broader East African Community goals.