Uganda and Algeria to collaborate in the Energy Sector on Oil Refinery, infrastructure development and electricity Generation
Mr. Mohamed Arkab, the Algerian minister of Energy & Mines and his delegation called on H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House in Entebbe on Thursday 11th May 2023. He was happy that H.E Abdelmadjid Tebboune the President of Algeria responded very well to the signed memoranda of understanding in the various areas agreed upon when President Museveni visited Algeria earlier this year. He welcomed the collaboration in the energy sector on Oil Refinery, infrastructure development and Electricity Generation. He said he will be happy to work with the Algerians.
At State House Entebbe on Thursday 11th May 2023, President Museveni received a delegation from Algeria headed by their Minister of Energy and Mines, Mr. Mohamed Arkab. These were in Uganda to follow up on the MOU that President Museveni and Algerian leaders signed in March of this year 2023.
The two energy ministries talked about working together and forming alliances in four (4) areas, including oil refineries, funding for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, and electricity production.
The four topics agreed upon “are all very good and important for us,” H.E. Museveni stated in thanking his Algerian counterpart H.E. Abdelmadjid Tebboune for responding to the signed memorandums so effectively.
According to H.E. Museveni, “We need the refinery because it completely solves our problem, and we will be happy to cooperate with the Algerians.”
Since it will also transport the oil from Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the President claimed that the East African crude oil pipeline benefits not only Uganda but the entire area in the spirit of Pan-Africanism.
With a target of 52,000 megawatts by 2050, H.E. Museveni stated that Uganda needs greater assistance in the production of electricity from solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear energy in some other locations.
H.E. Museveni stated, “Anything you choose to work with us will be contributing to our capacity.
The Ugandan Energy Ministry and the Algerian delegation also discussed the possibility of cooperating with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) to develop the Kasurubani block, which is close to the central processing facility that is being built at Tilenga and for which UNOC has already been granted a licence by the energy minister.
According to Ruth Nankabirwa, Uganda’s Energy Minister, “They seem to agree that it would be good to have an African government come in to help an African government taking into consideration the pressure that we’re having where we’re seeing banks pull out from supporting developments of petroleum products.”
The transmission line that will allow Uganda to conduct business with South Sudan has not received support, Minister Nankabirwa informed the President. This is an area where the Algerian relationship is beneficial.
Mr. Mohamed Arkab, the minister of energy and mines for Algeria, congratulated President Museveni for agreeing to collaborate with Algeria on energy issues and hailed their interaction as constructive.
“What you require has been shared and discussed. I’ll strive to complete this commitment before our technical teams arrive in June, next month,” said Mr. Mohamed Arkab.
On the other hand, President Museveni was pleased to learn that discussions with Ugandan milk processing companies were moving quickly and that Algeria had approved Uganda’s milk exports to Algeria.
