Technical Committee Established as Progress Continues on Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali Petroleum Pipeline Project.

Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan have formed a Joint Technical Committee to oversee the development of the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali refined petroleum products pipeline.

This move comes after the four nations resumed discussions in May about extending the pipeline, with further talks held in Nairobi in July to establish the committee. The committee’s role will be to guide the construction of the pipeline, which will transport various petroleum products.

Initially conceived in 1995, the Eldoret-Kampala-Kigali pipeline project was formalized through a 2013 agreement between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. However, its implementation has been delayed. In May 2024, the partner countries revived the project discussions, emphasizing its significance in reducing reliance on road transport for oil and ensuring a consistent fuel supply in the region.

The decision to form a joint technical committee was announced in Entebbe, Uganda, earlier this month during a meeting of representatives from the partner states, led by Uganda’s Minister for State for Energy, Okaasai Opolot, as part of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects (NCIP). “The ongoing collaboration among Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan underscores the shared commitment to advancing NCIP initiatives and unlocking the region’s economic potential,” said Principal Secretary for Petroleum Mohamed Liban.

Currently, petroleum products for the region are imported through the Port of Mombasa, then transported via pipeline to Eldoret, after which they are distributed to regional destinations like Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by Oil Marketing Companies. However, this reliance on trucks introduces challenges such as environmental impact, increased accident risks, and the potential for fuel spills.

The committee’s mandate includes reviewing land allocations, updating project timelines, and creating strategies to enhance the use of the Kisumu Oil Jetty for fuel transport to Uganda and other regions. Additionally, it will prepare a detailed report on the project’s progress and next steps. The pipeline extension from Eldoret is crucial for providing a safer, more environmentally friendly mode of oil transportation and reducing transport costs linked to truck usage.