Tanzania–Uganda relations

Tanzania – Uganda relations

Tanzania	Uganda

Tanzania–Uganda relations are bilateral relations between Tanzania and Uganda. Tanzania is a strategic partner of Uganda in many areas, particularly trade, security, education, agriculture and energy.

History

Tanzania Uganda War

Further information: Uganda–Tanzania War

Relations between Tanzania and Uganda had been strained for several years before the war started in 1978. After Amin seized power in a military coup in 1971, the Tanzanian leader Julius Nyerere offered sanctuary to Uganda's ousted president, Milton Obote. After various coup attempts were made on Amin from Tanzania; Uganda declared a state of war against Tanzania, and sent troops to invade and annex part of the Kagera region of Tanzania, which Amin claimed belonged to Uganda. The war ended in April 1979 with Tanzania being victorious. Tanzania had to foot the bill for the war entirely by its self and the war brought further strain to the economy. Uganda completed paying the debt of the war in 2007.

Trade and Economy

Trade between Uganda and Tanzania is very healthy and in 2013 Tanzania exported $62.2 million worth of goods to Uganda, mainly machinery, agriculture products and medicines. The Balance of trade is very even and in 2013 Uganda exported $62.6 million worth of goods to Tanzania, mainly corn and telecommunication equipment.

Tanzania-Uganda pipeline

Further information: Uganda–Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline

The Uganda–Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline (UTCOP) is a proposed pipeline to transport crude oil from Uganda's oil fields to Tanga, Tanzania, a port on the Indian Ocean. It is expected that construction will start in August 2016 and last three years at a budgeted cost of US$4 billion. The three oil companies currently prospecting or oil in Uganda, namely France's Total E&P Uganda, China's CNOOC and UK's Tullow Oil are expected to fund the pipeline. In March 2016, the Daily Monitor newspaper reported that Total E&P is prepared to spend US$4 billion (approx. USh13.52 trillion), to fund construction of this pipeline.

Diplomatic Relations

East African Community Head of States. Yoweri Museveni on the left and Jakaya Kikwete fourth from the left.

Tanzania and Uganda are both founding members of the East African Community and maintain well diplomatic relations. Tanzania has an embassy in Kampala and Uganda also has an embassy in Dar es Salaam.

State Visits

All former presidents of Tanzania have made various state visits to Uganda and the same can be said for the Ugandan counterparts. Various visits between the leaders also occurs at the annual East African Community summits.