Uganda’s long wait to join the league of oil-producing nations is ending after the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development reaffirmed that the country will begin commercial oil production in 2026 with no further delays or deadline extensions.
During a high-level tour of ongoing oil-field developments in the Albertine Graben, senior government officials led by Permanent Secretary Irene Batebe and Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe confirmed that the sector is now in its final construction phase. The inspection covered major installations at the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube District and other strategic sites.
Batebe noted that Uganda’s oil journey spanning over two decades of exploration, licensing and infrastructure building has now reached the decisive stage.
“We have moved from planning to near completion. The facilities we are seeing today show that we are ready for production. The first oil will be achieved in 2026,” she said.
She added that essential infrastructure including well pads, central processing facilities and roads linking the oil fields to the main highway network were on schedule, while the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) was steadily advancing toward completion.
In a firm tone that signalled a shift from years of postponements, Head of Public Service Lucy Nakyobe said the government is now fully convinced that the sector is ready for delivery.
“From what we have seen on the ground, there will be no more excuses, no more extensions. Uganda must and will produce its first oil in 2026,” she stressed.
Her remarks underscored the government’s determination to stay on course after several missed targets since the initial 2013 projection. The renewed assurance comes amid heightened global attention on Uganda’s capacity to manage large-scale extractive projects and deliver tangible economic benefits.
The Kingfisher field operated by CNOOC Uganda Limited, is nearing full development with production facilities expected to process up to 40,000 barrels per day at peak output. Similar progress is being reported at the Tilenga project, managed by TotalEnergies EP Uganda.
According to the Energy Ministry, the completion of the Hoima International Airport, feeder roads and power infrastructure has provided the logistical backbone needed to support extraction and export operations.
Once production begins, Uganda is projected to generate billions in annual revenue and thousands of direct and indirect jobs positioning the oil sector as a new growth pillar for the economy. However, experts warn that the government must maintain transparency and invest revenues wisely to avoid the pitfalls that have troubled other resource-rich nations.
The planned Luwero refinery and the 1,443-kilometre EACOP pipeline are expected to anchor value addition and export operations, linking Uganda’s oil to global markets through Tanzania’s Tanga Port.
With construction entering its final stretch, Uganda’s message is clear the time for delays is over. The government insists that 2026 will mark the dawn of the country’s oil era, a milestone that could transform Uganda’s industrial and fiscal landscape for generations.