Ruto Applauds Museveni's Role in Advancing Dangote Refinery Project

During the recent groundbreaking ceremony for the monumental $16 billion Dangote refinery and petrochemicals Special Economic Zone in Lamu, Kenya, President William Ruto expressed deep gratitude towards his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni. Ruto specifically highlighted Museveni’s unwavering belief in regional integration as a key factor propelling the ambitious project forward.

Addressing President Museveni directly at the event, Ruto referred to him as a “father figure” in East Africa. He recounted how Museveni’s encouragement and wisdom were pivotal when discussions about the refinery were underway with industrialist Aliko Dangote.

“When we sat in that room with Aliko Dangote, it is your wisdom, your encouragement, your belief in our East Africa,” Ruto stated, emphasizing Museveni’s early backing. Ruto recalled sending a delegation to meet Museveni regarding the project, and how the Ugandan President had urged Kenya to approach it from a pan-East African perspective, acknowledging that Museveni was “well ahead of all of us” in understanding the benefits of such regional cooperation.

This gesture underscores President Museveni’s long-standing advocacy for collaborative projects that promise widespread benefits across multiple East African nations. While attending the groundbreaking in Lamu, Museveni reiterated Uganda’s own plans to develop its refining capabilities.

The Lamu refinery, envisioned to process up to 700,000 barrels of crude oil daily, is integrated with a petrochemicals special economic zone and the broader Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor. The facility aims to process crude from regional sources, including Kenya’s Turkana oilfields, and supply refined products across East Africa and beyond.

For Uganda, this development adds a significant regional layer to its energy infrastructure ambitions, complementing its own planned refinery in Hoima.

Source: Nile Post