Uganda-Tanzania are set for a second Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) Ministerial meeting and it will take place from 21 – 23 August 2018 at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The JPC is aimed at enhancing and consolidating bilateral cooperation frameworks between the two countries among which the natural gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda to process iron ore for iron.
Uganda has since last year been exploring the possibility of obtaining gas from Tanzania to develop the iron and steel industry.
Uganda’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Richard Kabonero said that a team of experts was commissioned to conduct research and present a report.
“We have a lot of iron ore in Muko, Kabale which we need for our steel industry,” said Kabonero in a recent interview.
Tanzania has proven natural gas reserves of 57 trillion cubic feet, with at least 49.5 trillion cubic feet of those reserves far offshore in the Indian Ocean.
The East African country now plans to build an onshore liquefied natural gas export terminal at this location in Lindi.
On the other hand, Iron Ore in the form of hematite occurs in Kigezi region, Southwestern Uganda.
Natural gas and heavy oil from Albertine region would process/smelt iron ore to process ore into pure iron and steel products, turning Uganda into a major regional player in the iron ore market.
Domestic demand for steel in the construction industry has been on the rise in recent years.
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