East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. and Buganda Kingdom have today signed
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that cements their collaboration on
environmental conservation and community development.
The partnership focuses on two flagship initiatives: tree growing under Ekibira Kya Kabaka and the construction
of a modern community sports center in Buddu County-Masaka District.
These initiatives align with EACOP’s Social Economic Investment pillars- Environment
and youth empowerment that focus on deliberate interventions towards the social and
economic wellbeing of communities along the pipeline.
The Kingdom has expressed its commitment towards these initiatives by committing 120
acres of land towards tree growing & another 10 acres for the construction of a state-ofthe-art community sports center. EACOP will make a financial contribution towards the
construction of this facility, which is envisioned to nurture young talent, promote fitness,
and serve as a hub for unity and community engagement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Guillaume DULOUT, the Managing Director of
EACOP Ltd., said: “This MoU reflects our long-term commitment to advancing
sustainability and socio-economic development. By restoring ecosystems through tree
planting and supporting the sports centre, we are investing in initiatives that will deliver
lasting value for communities and the environment.”
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The Katikkiro of Buganda, Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga, welcomed the partnership,
noting: “The Kingdom cherishes collaborations that address urgent challenges such as
climate change, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment. Through Ekibira
Ky’Abataka and the new community sports centre, we are working with EACOP to create
a legacy of resilience, opportunity, and growth for our people.”
The signing of this MoU underscores the shared commitment of Buganda Kingdom and
EACOP towards safeguarding the environment while driving community transformation
and development in Masaka and beyond.
According to EACOP Ltd, the pipeline stretches 296 km, passing through 10 districts and
25 sub-counties and of these 7 districts lie within the Buganda Kingdom, covering 130
villages across 4 of the Buganda Kingdom’s 18 counties. The districts and their respective
counties include:
• Gomba District (Gomba)
• Kyankwanzi District (Singo)
• Mubende District (Buwekula)
• Sembabule District (Mawogola)
• Lwengo, Kyotera, and Rakai Districts (Buddu)
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is a 1,443km crude oil export infrastructure that will
transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale – Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani
peninsula near Tanga in Tanzania for export to the international market. This major export
system includes 1,443 km (296 km in Uganda and 1147km in Tanzania) of insulated and
buried 24” inch pipeline, 6 pumping stations, two pressure reduction stations and a marine
export terminal in Tanzania.
Following the Final Investment Decision (FID) that was taken on the 1st of February 2022,
East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. on 15th February concluded the formation
of the company that will construct and operate the pipeline.
EACOP Ltd. is a special purpose company, governed by its Shareholders Agreement in
which TotalEnergies (62%), Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC – 15%), Tanzania
Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC – 15%) and CNOOC (8%) are shareholders.