The Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) is seeking up to Shs 2.5 billion to provide security to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).

Vincent Ssempijja, the Minister of Defence, while appearing before the Parliament’s Defence Committee, said the fund is required to facilitate their operation to protect EACOP.

“You know the security of our oil pipeline isn’t catered for; Tanzania is ready, and they have already budgeted for it. It is a thorn in our back,” said Minister Ssempijja.

In 2019, Uganda and Tanzania agreed to jointly secure the EACOP with enough security deployment.

EACOP is a 1,445 km crude oil export pipeline that will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga port in Tanzania.

In Uganda, the pipeline starts from Hoima, where it traverses eight districts and 24 sub-counties for a distance of 296km, into Tanzania, where it crosses eight regions and 24 districts all the way to Tanga Port for a distance of 1,149km.