Museveni Hints on Working with Russia on Oil Project
chimpreports.com, October 09, 2022 | President Yoweri Museveni has expressed readiness to work with “other progressive forces in Western Europe” to avoid the emerging frustration from the European Union which is opposed to Uganda’s budding oil industry.
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| File Photo/Courtesy: President Yoweri Museveni |
Speaking on Sunday at celebrations to mark Uganda’s diamond jubilee celebrations, Museveni repeated his recent vitriol against the European Parliament, which last month passed a resolution calling for suspension of the oil and gas development projects in Uganda and Tanzania, including construction of the 1400km crude oil pipeline.
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“As for the European Parliament which decreed from Brussels that the EACOP should not be constructed until those arrogant actors permit us to do so… The East Africans should not worry about those arrogant people stopping the oil pipeline project,” Museveni said.
Terming the EU resolution as “yet another manifestation of imperialistic arrogance and hegemony” the president said Uganda was willing to seek out other partners to ensure that the oil projects carry on.
Citing examples of other “progressive whites” who worked with Ugandan freedom fighters to secure the country’s independence in 1962, Museveni said even today, there are still people in Europe who are “not part of that white chauvinism”
“Even today there are progressive forces in western Europe who can work for the common good of humanity and are “not part of white chauvinism” Museveni said.
“We shall seek them out, but most importantly, you must know that the oil projects are unstoppable”
President Museveni was likely referring to Russia, which he has repeatedly praised for its non-interventionist policies toward Africa.
As Europe’s leading oil producer and operator of the longest oil pipelines on the continent, Russia has for long had strained relations with the European Union, which relations were further strained by its decision to annex Crimea in 2015 and most recently its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Museveni’s announcement today comes just days after Russia formed an alliance with OPEC, a cartel of oil-exporting countries and announced a sharp cut in production.
The move shocked and angered western countries in Europe and America who viewed it as raising the risk of a global economic downturn.
Meanwhile, President Museveni in his lengthy speech, further warned that “If any actor tries to delay our project, we shall decisively deal with that betrayal according to the relevant laws”
Speaking at the event, newly elected Kenyan President William Ruto called on President Museveni to “take charge” to “bring down the boundaries, borders and barriers within in the East African community.
“We are hoping that in our lifetime, in next few years that people goods and services can move freely across the East African Community,” he said
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