The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project has crossed another significant milestone with the construction of Pump Station One in Hoima now 80% complete. The facility, situated in Buseruka sub-county, is expected to be the first of its kind on the 1,443-kilometre heated pipeline linking Uganda’s oil fields to the Tanzanian coast.
Project managers revealed that civil works are nearing full completion while steel structures are already taking shape. By early 2026, the station is projected to move into test runs, ahead of full commissioning in June 2026. In addition, ongoing efforts are underway to have the feeder pipeline buried by the end of 2025, with 75 kilometres of welding already finished.
Pump Station One will play a central role in pushing Uganda’s crude from the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields toward the Indian Ocean. The station is being fitted with state-of-the-art monitoring and safety technology, including fibre optics and temperature control systems designed to detect leaks, tampering, or sabotage instantly.
During a recent site visit, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda, praised the rapid progress and described the project as a potential economic game-changer. He projected that oil exports, once underway, could double Uganda’s GDP within five years. He also confirmed that the central bank will manage the Petroleum Fund to ensure oil revenues are safeguarded and used transparently.
The project is not only about infrastructure but also skills transfer. A significant portion of the workforce at Hoima consists of Ugandan engineers and technicians, gaining first-hand experience on one of the region’s most complex energy projects.