EACOP ENGAGES BUGANDA KINGDOM LEADERSHIP IN COURTESY VISIT

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd., led by its Managing Director Guillaume DULOUT, paid a courtesy visit to the Katikiro (Prime Minister) of the Buganda Kingdom, Owekitibwa Charles Peter Mayiga. The meeting, held in the spirit of partnership and collaboration, provided an opportunity for EACOP to present updates on the project and engage with the Kingdom on key aspects of the pipeline’s development.

During the meeting, EACOP shared detailed updates about the project, highlighting how a significant portion of the pipeline—over 200 kilometers—traverses the Buganda Kingdom, cutting across 7 districts, 130 villages, and 4 counties within the Kingdom. In Uganda, the pipeline stretches a total of 296 kilometers, passing through 10 districts and 25 sub-counties. A segment of the land required for the pipeline falls under the management of the Buganda Land Board, and EACOP confirmed that project-affected persons on this land have already been compensated and have signed their Notices to Vacate. This process has been made possible through the valuable cooperation and support of the Buganda Kingdom leadership.

The visit also came as a follow-up to prior engagements, including a meeting in August 2023, where EACOP provided updates on the project and sought the Kingdom’s support for the land acquisition process. Speaking during the recent visit, EACOP’s Managing Director expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its ongoing assistance: “We view the Kingdom as a key partner, and in this regard, we have already supported initiatives in areas such as education, coffee growing through our livelihood activities, and the construction of boreholes, to name a few.”

EACOP’s collaboration with the Buganda Kingdom extends beyond the pipeline project itself. The company has supported several development initiatives in the Kingdom, including:

• Education: The construction of Kabajjo Memorial School in Sembabule District.
• Livelihood Support: Promoting coffee growing through livelihood activities that empower local farmers.
• Access to Clean Water: The construction of boreholes to improve access to safe and clean water for communities.

These initiatives shows EACOP’s commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact on the communities along the pipeline route while fostering strong partnerships with key stakeholders.