The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd, in partnership with the Belgian Development Agency-Enabel, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in advancing Business and Human Rights principles within Uganda’s energy sector.
The MoU underscores both institutions’ shared commitment ensuring that energy and infrastructure development are implemented in a manner that upholds human rights, social inclusion and sustainable development.
Through this partnership, EACOP and Enabel will jointly promote responsible business practices, build capacity on human rights due diligence, and support the alignment of private sector operations with Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR).
The partnership is coined under the auspices of the European Union funded Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda Project that is co-implemented by Enabel and the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development.
Speaking at the signing event, Mr. John Bosco Habumugisha, EACOP’s Deputy Managing Director, emphasized the importance of corporate leadership in advancing respect for human rights in business.
“EACOP is committed to delivering the pipeline project responsibly ensuring that growth, inclusivity, and human rights go hand-in-hand.
This partnershipwithEnabelrepresentsasharedcommitmenttosustainabledevelopmentand responsible corporate citizenship.
“ThispartnershipwithEnabelmarksasignificantmilestoneinourjourneytoensurethat business growth and respect for human rights move hand in hand. Built on good faith, mutual trust, and transparency, it demonstrates EACOP’s commitment to delivering not just an engineering project, but a responsible legacy for Uganda and the region.” Mr. JB Habumugisha concluded.
Mr. Nicolas Oebel, Enabel’s Country Director, highlighted the partnership’s alignment with Uganda’s national priorities.
“Enabel is proud to collaborate with EACOP, a leading private sector actor, to translate the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights into tangible actions that safe-guard rights and foster sustainable investment.”
Mr.Benard Mujuni, Commissioner Equity and Rights at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to enhance the implementation of National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights in Uganda’ soil and gas sector.
Through the partnership, Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs), who are the suppliers and contractors of EACOP will be reached with business and human rights capacity building initiatives thus strengthening sustainable and responsible sourcing and the bigger picture of national content development.
About East African Crude Oil Pipeline:
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline is a 1,443 km crude oil export infrastructure that will transport Uganda’s crude oil from Kabaale-Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani peninsula near Tanga in Tanzania for export to the international market.
This major export system includes1,443km (2SC km in Uganda and 1147 km in Tanzania) of insulated and buried 24” inch pipeline, Cpumping stations, two pressure reduction stations and a marine export terminal in Tanzania.
Following the Final Investment Decision (FID) that was taken on the 1st of February 2022, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Ltd. on 15thFebruary concluded the formation of the company that will construct and operate the pipeline.
EACOP Ltd. is a special purpose company, governed by its Shareholders Agreement in which TotalEnergies(C2%),Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC-15%), Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC-15%) and CNOOC (8%) are shareholders.
