The agreement follows talks between the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr John Pombe Magufuli and the President of the Republic of Uganda, Mr Yoweri Museveni, which were held on Tuesday evening in Arusha.

 

According to a statement issued by the Acting Director for Presidential Communications, Mr Gerson Msigwa, among other things, the two leaders agreed on the construction of the oil pipeline from the port of Tanga in Tanzania to Uganda.

 

President Museveni paid a visit to President Magufuli at the state lodge in Arusha soon after arriving in the country from Uganda to attend the 17th East African Community Heads of State Summit which was held on Wednesday at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha.

 

Speaking after private talks between the two leaders, President Magufuli said they had agreed to implement the Tanga-Uganda oil pipeline project for the benefit of both countries and other East African countries.

 

President Magufuli explained that, apart from constructing the oil pipeline, they also discussed increasing trade within the East African countries, building factories and creating jobs through various productive sectors.

 

Furthermore, President Magufuli said during the summit, Partner States will also discuss about South Sudan joining the East African Community (EAC). He said that South Sudan becoming a member of the EAC means the region will be able to trade in an area with approximately 150 million people and therefore benefiting greatly.

 

On his part, President Yoweri Museveni, besides concurring with President Magufuli, has congratulated his Tanzanian counterpart on his leadership performance so far, expressing his hope that EAC Partner States will be in a position to match President Magufuli's speed in boosting development.

 

Meanwhile, President Magufuli held talks with President of the Republic of Kenya Mr Uhuru Kenyatta on the sidelines of the summit, in which the two leaders agreed to maintain the relations of the two countries especially in connection with economic issues.

 

Some of the areas they had agreed to focus on include implementation of development projects connecting the two countries such as construction of infrastructures; increased intra trade, and job creation through industrialization.

 

President Kenyatta expressed his happiness on Dr Magufuli's readiness to ensure Kenya and Tanzania become closer and expedite implementation of development projects.

 

On his part, President Magufuli noted that Tanzania and Kenya had every reason to cement their economic relations especially construction of industries for job creation of peoples of both countries.

 

Dr Magufuli cited one project as construction of a power transmission line from Tanzania to Kenya and that Tanzania would sell its surplus power and gas to Kenya whereas Kenya would sell its products to Tanzania.

 

In another development, President Magufuli held talks with President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda where the two leaders agreed to cement bilateral relations between the two countries.

 

Dr Magufuli assured President Kagame of construction central railway at standard gauge level in order to ease transport of people and goods.

 

President Kagame congratulated Dr Magufuli for his good leadership which aimed at strengthening the economy, including improvement of Dar es Salaam port and re-construction of the central railway.

Source : allafrica.com