Politics 30 September 2026 Nile Post
Museveni Advocates for Multiple Regional Refineries and Enhanced East African Integration
President Yoweri Museveni has endorsed the development of independent refining capacities in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, stressing that regional integration is key to unlocking shared markets, jobs, and investments. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/374543/museveni-backs-regional-refineries-renews-call-for-east-african-integration
President Yoweri Museveni has expressed strong support for the establishment of multiple oil refineries across East Africa, envisioning a future where countries like Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania possess their own processing capabilities.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Special Economic Zone in Lamu, Kenya, Museveni highlighted the strategic importance of retaining economic value within the region by processing natural resources locally. He confirmed Uganda’s commitment to its own refinery project, aimed at serving domestic needs and interior African markets. He also indicated a renewed push to revive earlier plans for a refinery in Tanga, Tanzania, by initiating discussions with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Museveni emphasized that the coexistence of several refineries in the region should not be a point of contention but rather an opportunity for coordinated planning and shared economic goals. He believes that processing raw materials domestically, rather than exporting them, significantly boosts revenue, fosters industrial growth, and creates employment.
“When we sell a bean of coffee, after the husking, removing the skin, you get $2 a kilo. When it is roasted, ground and packed, the one who did it gets $40,” Museveni illustrated, underscoring the substantial economic benefits of value addition.
Furthermore, the President linked industrial development to deeper East African political and economic integration. He argued that a more unified region would facilitate better access to employment and business opportunities across borders, ensuring that benefits from regional projects, such as the Lamu refinery, are shared equitably among East African citizens.
He cited a hypothetical scenario concerning iron ore processing in Mombasa, questioning how Uganda would truly benefit if its resources were processed elsewhere without guaranteed employment for Ugandans. Museveni concluded by congratulating Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote on the significant investment and Kenyan President William Ruto for attracting the project to Kenya.