The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd and Enabel, the Belgian development agency, have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening business and human-rights compliance across Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
The agreement, signed in Kampala on Friday, seeks to align the energy sector especially companies working around the EACOP project with Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR), while building capacity for responsible and rights-based investment.
EACOP’s Deputy Managing Director John Bosco Habumugisha said the partnership underscores the pipeline project’s commitment to embedding ethical standards in all phases of development.
“This collaboration reinforces our determination to deliver a project that upholds international human-rights principles and leaves a positive legacy for communities,” Habumugisha noted, emphasising the project’s desire to strengthen safeguards in its supply chain.
Enabel Country Director Nicolas Oebel welcomed the cooperation, saying it reflects a shared commitment to advancing responsible business conduct as the sector evolves.
“We are proud to partner with EACOP to translate Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights into concrete results. This MoU will ensure that rights, transparency and sustainability remain central to investment in the energy sector,” he said.
From the government side, Bernard Mujuni, Commissioner for Equity and Rights at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, said the MoU marks a major step in strengthening national efforts to ensure companies, especially SMEs engaged in the sector—respect human rights as required under the NAP-BHR.
The partnership prioritises, building capacity of companies, contractors, and SMEs working with EACOP on human rights due diligence, promoting responsible business practices within the energy sector, expanding awareness on Uganda’s NAP-BHR among private-sector actors and Strengthening monitoring, accountability and reporting in line with national and international standards
Uganda’s oil and gas industry is entering a decisive phase as the EACOP project progresses. With construction attracting numerous local contractors, the MoU aims to ensure that business conduct keeps pace with global expectations on human rights, transparency and community protection.
The partnership is expected to benefit communities along the 1,443-km pipeline route by improving grievance handling systems, enhancing inclusion and reducing human-rights risks linked to land acquisition, labour and environmental impacts.