KAMPALA, Uganda — Local businesses are positioned to become key players in a massive energy infrastructure project as Uganda prepares to move 246,000 barrels of crude oil per day starting in July 2026.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline project is calling on Ugandan companies to secure their place in the supply chain. During a recent supplier development forum at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel, EACOP Deputy Managing Director John-Bosco Habumugisha urged local firms to actively compete for contracts during the operational and commissioning phases of the 1,443-kilometer pipeline.
“Participate in every opportunity that is announced,” Habumugisha said. “If you don’t win, use it to enhance your skills and improve for the next bid.”
The project offers immediate opportunities in specialized fields such as electrical, mechanical, telecommunications, and instrumentation. Beyond technical roles, the project already utilizes local suppliers for transportation, waste management, environmental studies, and food services.
Nick Mugira, CEO of Inspire Africa, noted that the scale of the project requires local firms to meet high professional standards. He encouraged business owners to document their bids and update their digital presence to compete for larger contracts.
The pipeline will connect Kabaale in Uganda’s Hoima District to the Chongoleani Peninsula in Tanzania. With extraction set for July 2026, the forum drew over 1,000 participants eager to tap into the regional project.
