DAR ES SALAAM, Feb. 8 -- PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda yesterday agreed to deepen trade and economic cooperation, confirming that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) will commence operations in July this year.

The EACOP, a long-awaited strategic regional energy infrastructure project, also known as the Uganda–Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline, is a 1,443-kilometre pipeline designed to transport crude oil from Kabaale–Hoima in Uganda to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania.

Energy cooperation topped the agenda during the discussions held at State House in Dar es Salaam, with infrastructure development, trade expansion and regional security also featuring prominently. ...