President Yoweri Museveni has renewed Uganda’s push for value addition and regional industrialisation after meeting Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote over plans to establish a major East African oil refinery.
During the meeting held at Nakasero State Lodge, Museveni emphasized that Uganda deliberately delayed commercial oil production to ensure the country first secures refining capacity instead of exporting crude oil in its raw form.
The President noted that exporting crude oil without processing denies African countries the full economic benefits of their natural resources, arguing that value addition remains central to Uganda’s long-term development strategy.
Museveni welcomed the proposal for a regional refinery backed by Dangote, saying such a project would strengthen African integration, expand markets, and increase economic cooperation among East African countries.
According to the President, fragmented markets continue to weaken Africa’s industrial growth, but collective investments in strategic infrastructure like oil refineries can create jobs, boost energy security, and improve regional trade.
Even as Uganda supports the regional refinery initiative, Museveni maintained that the government remains committed to developing the planned refinery in Hoima as part of the country’s broader oil and gas agenda.
