Two Chinese Nationals Remanded Over Alleged Theft from EACOP Sites

Two Chinese nationals, Qiao Tian Peng and Zhang Dong Geng, have been remanded to Kiryatete Government Prison in Hoima City over allegations of stealing construction materials from East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) sites in Hoima and Buliisa districts.

Authorities say the suspects allegedly conspired with local workers to steal items including drums of lubricants, aluminum cable wires, and fuel, valued at approximately UGX 114 million. The theft reportedly occurred along the pipeline route in Kayera village, Kabaale Sub-county, Hoima District.

The suspects were arrested after a tip-off from a whistleblower and appeared before the Hoima Chief Magistrate Court on August 14, 2025.

About EACOP

1. The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a $5 billion mega-infrastructure project aimed at transporting crude oil from Uganda’s oil-rich Albertine region in Hoima to the Tanga port in Tanzania for export.
2. The pipeline stretches 1,443 kilometers, passing through sensitive ecological zones, farmland, and communities in both countries.
   
3. Ownership is shared among TotalEnergies (62%), CNOOC Uganda (8%), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (15%), and the Uganda National Oil Company (15%).
   
4. Construction is being carried out by a joint venture between China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co. Ltd and Worley Limited.
   
5. Once completed, EACOP will be the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world, capable of transporting 216,000 barrels of oil per day.
   
6. The project is expected to generate thousands of jobs, boost government revenues, and contribute significantly to regional energy security, though it has also faced environmental and social concerns from affected communities and advocacy groups.

Authorities have stressed that theft of construction materials from major infrastructure projects will be treated as a serious offense, and investigations are ongoing.

The EACOP project represents a cornerstone of Uganda’s emerging oil and gas sector, and security measures are being strengthened to safeguard both personnel and resources. Incidents such as these highlight the ongoing need for vigilance along the pipeline, as authorities work to ensure that development benefits local communities and the nation at large.