By Spy Uganda
Kampala: French President Emmanuel Macron has sent a message of support to President Museveni ahead of his swearing-in ceremony next month, pledging to work with him to strengthen the political and economic relationship between the two countries.
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Macron has called for speeding up the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that will run from Uganda’s oil wells to the Tanzanian seaport of Tanga.
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“I sincerely hope that your new term of office will be an opportunity to deepen the friendship between our two countries, and to develop a relationship of trust in all areas of mutual interest, both political and economic,” said Macron.
“I therefore, hope that the coming years will allow us to cultivate our bilateral dialogue on strategic issues for both countries, especially in supporting the peace process in South Sudan, the stabilization of Somalia and the easing of tensions in the Great Lakes region,” the French President Macron said in a letter to President Museveni.
Uganda and Tanzania on April 11 signed three key agreements to kick off the construction of the EACOP.
“The spirit of dialogue, mutual esteem and respect will enable us to strengthen our bilateral relationship. You can count on me to mobilize French expertise and investors to increase the French economic presence in Uganda and thus give substance to this relationship,” added Macron to Museveni.
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The 1,440 km crude oil pipeline will transport 230,000 barrels per day. It will be the longest electrically heated pipeline in the world.
