President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has backed plans for a major regional oil refinery following talks with Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote, describing the project as key to East Africa’s industrial growth and energy security.

Speaking after the meeting at State Lodge Nakasero over the weekend, Museveni said Uganda was prepared to support the initiative as part of efforts to promote value addition and shared economic growthan across the region.

“We shall support Mr. Dangote, and we are ready to buy shares in the regional refinery because our goal is regional integration and industrial development,” Museveni said.

The President stressed that Africa must stop exporting raw materials and focus on local processing to create jobs and strengthen economies.

“We have always been against the export of unprocessed raw materials. That is why Uganda insisted on having a refinery as part of our oil development strategy,” he noted.

Dangote said the proposed refinery, expected to process up to 650,000 barrels per day, would help reduce reliance on imported fuel across East Africa.

“This is a continuation of discussions we held with regional leaders in Nairobi. We want to establish a refinery that can support East Africa’s growing energy needs,” Dangote said.

He also assured President Museveni that the project would create employment opportunities for East Africans while boosting regional energy cooperation and industrial growth.

“Jobs will not be a problem. In our refinery in Nigeria, we employ people from many nationalities, and East Africans will also benefit from this project,” Dangote noted.

Dangote also congratulated President Museveni upon his inauguration, wishing him good health and success during his new term in office.

“I congratulate Your Excellency upon your inauguration and pray that the Almighty God keeps you safe, healthy and strong as you continue leading Uganda,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Irene Bateebe, said Uganda’s refinery plans remain commercially viable due to the country’s quality crude oil and growing regional market.

She added that Uganda would continue engaging stakeholders and partners on both the national refinery project and wider regional energy cooperation initiatives.

The proposed regional refinery is expected to strengthen East Africa’s energy security, support industrialization, and complement ongoing infrastructure projects such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) linking Hoima in Uganda to Tanga in Tanzania.