Kenya and Uganda to discuss new oil pipeline

The presidents of Kenya and Uganda and oil company executives are set to meet to discuss the construction of the Uganda-Kenya oil pipeline, a key part of the Northern Corridor Infrastructure Projects (NCIP).

At a meeting to be held at State House, Nairobi, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni plan to discuss a route for the pipeline to transport the two countries’ oil.

Once the pipeline route is resolved, oil companies in Uganda and Kenya will be able to make final investment decisions on developing oil fields.

Oil producers in Uganda, Irish company Tullow Oil, France-based Total, and China-based CNOC are also set to attend the meeting.

Uhuru Kenyatta spokesman Manoah Esipisu said that the pipeline project has been designed to transport crude oil from the oilfields of Hoima to the Port of Lamu, through Kenya’s oilfields at Lokichar.

The two leaders said that the development of a crude oil export pipeline needs to be implemented in order to avoid any further delay in commercialising Uganda’s petroleum resources.

Esipisu said in a statement: "In construction of the pipeline, Kenya favours the ‘northern route’ through Lokichar, because as part of the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) project, it would transform infrastructure and the way of life of the people in the towns and counties across its path."