Uganda is embarking on a major initiative to replace the use of fuel trucks with pipeline infrastructure for transporting petroleum products. Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has announced that Uganda is in negotiations with Kenya and Tanzania to develop pipelines, which will reduce the reliance on road transportation for petroleum.
The new plan aims to establish pipelines that will transport petroleum products across East Africa, including Kenya, northern Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative is expected to decrease road wear and tear and lower carbon emissions. According to Ms. Nankabirwa, pipelines will help minimize the number of trucks on the road, thereby protecting road infrastructure and reducing pollution.
Currently, approximately 180 trucks enter Uganda daily, transporting around 6.5 million liters of petroleum products. By shifting to pipelines, the government hopes to make fuel prices more competitive. The plan includes having the Uganda National Oil Company serve as the sole importer of fuel to streamline the process.
The government is also working on securing the Tanzanian route and developing the Kampala-Eldoret pipeline, which could potentially serve as a reverse pipeline for exporting Uganda’s refined oil to other East African regions in the future.
The Kampala-Eldoret pipeline project, which has faced delays since its initial discussions in 1995, is now being revitalized. Last week, Ms. Nankabirwa met with Kenyan energy officials and the Kenya Pipeline Company to discuss the project’s revival. The pipeline, if completed, will extend from Eldoret in Kenya to Kampala in Uganda and could eventually reach Kigali in Rwanda.
Kenya Pipeline Company’s Managing Director Joe Sang expressed willingness to collaborate with Uganda on this strategic project, highlighting its importance for both countries. The project’s financing details are yet to be disclosed, but progress is expected following a meeting between Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni in May, where they agreed to form a joint committee for quality control and resource mobilization.
Currently, Uganda relies on trucking for fuel transportation from Eldoret. The new pipeline infrastructure is anticipated to improve efficiency and lower fuel costs, benefiting the entire region.
