Uganda, Tanzania deepen energy, trade and security cooperation after Dar talks
President Samia also underscored a shared commitment to joint energy production initiatives aimed at meeting domestic demand while supplying regional and international markets.
Uganda and Tanzania have agreed to deepen cooperation in energy development, trade facilitation, infrastructure and regional security following high-level bilateral talks held in Dar es Salaam.
The agreements were announced on February 7, 2026, during a joint press briefing by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan after closed-door discussions between delegations from the two neighbouring countries.
President Samia said the talks reviewed progress on major cross-border energy infrastructure projects, notably 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 commence in July.
She further revealed plans for expanded energy cooperation, including the proposed construction of a gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda and a refined petroleum products pipeline from Uganda to the Tanzanian port of Tanga.
The developments are expected to position Tanzania as a key export corridor for Uganda’s oil and gas industry.
On trade and logistics, President Samia said the leaders discussed measures to improve access for Ugandan traders to Tanzanian ports, particularly Tanga and Dar es Salaam, to ease the movement of goods.
She added that Uganda had requested Tanzania to extend railway connectivity deeper into Ugandan territory to reduce transport costs and improve cargo efficiency.
The Tanzanian leader acknowledged that while bilateral trade relations remain strong, some non-tariff barriers persist.
She said both countries committed to working towards their elimination, noting that reducing trade barriers would stimulate economic growth and strengthen the East African regional market.
President Samia also underscored a shared commitment to joint energy production initiatives aimed at meeting domestic demand while supplying regional and international markets.
On regional peace and security, she said the two countries exchanged views on promoting stability in the Great Lakes Region and agreed on the need to initiate dialogue-based approaches to resolving ongoing conflicts.
In his remarks, President Museveni emphasized that Africa’s political independence must be safeguarded through economic self-reliance.
He said modern prosperity depends on producing competitive goods and services, describing economic transformation as a continuation of the continent’s liberation struggle.
The Ugandan leader also highlighted the importance of strategic security cooperation, noting that Uganda and Tanzania addressed several tactical security concerns affecting the region.
He added that discussions included industrial specialization, with Tanzania focusing on locomotive manufacturing while Uganda prioritizes textile production as part of a complementary industrial development strategy.
President Museveni observed that while external pressure from powerful global actors persists, Africa’s response ultimately depends on internal strength, unity and economic resilience.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation for the benefit of their citizens and the wider East African region.
