Uganda's recoverable oil hit 1.65 billion barrels



BY PAUL TENTENA

Uganda’s petroleum sector has recorded an important milestone with an increase in its oil and gas resource estimates.  This was confirmed by Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) during a media engagement on ten years of regulatory stewardship of Uganda’s oil and gas sector.

The updated resource assessments now show that the country’s recoverable resources have increased from 1.4 billion to 1.65 billion barrels. Rubondo revealed that the increase was mainly as a result of updated evaluation of the existing oil and gas discoveries in the Albertine Graben, owing to the enhanced data portfolio within oil and gas discovery and development areas.

“The Authority reviews technical data submitted by the licensed oil company and uses this information to estimate the country’s petroleum resource endowment. The description of the resources is professionally undertaken using internationally established standards,” Rubondo said.

He also revealed that the Tilenga, Kingfisher, and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects are now at advanced stages of completion, positioning Uganda on course to achieve First Oil in the second half of 2026.

“Ugandan’s flagship projects Tilenga, Kingfisher, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, have now reached advanced stages of completion,” Rubondo said. “The progress is substantial, and Uganda remains firmly on course to achieve First Oil in the second half of 2026.”

The Kingfisher Development Project has reached a major drilling milestone, with all 19 wells required for First Oil completed, while Tilenga is 97% complete, with 164 out of 170 wells drilled. Regarding the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, Rubondo reported: “All the line pipes needed for the 1,443-kilometre pipeline have been delivered, and over 1,000 kilometres have already been welded,” keeping the project on schedule. Overall progress currently stands at 60% for Tilenga, 74% for Kingfisher, and 75% for EACOP.

The Uganda Refinery Project is advancing steadily following the signing of the Implementation Agreement in March 2025, with ongoing activities including finalisation of the design, pre-commissioning studies, securing project financing, and the establishment of the Refinery Company, which has now been fully incorporated.

World-class data infrastructure

To manage the growing resource base, PAU has developed the National Petroleum Data Centre, hosting over 60 terabytes of electronic data and thousands of physical samples. The planned Real-Time Monitoring Centre will enable the Authority to oversee drilling, production, and transportation in real time, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and safety.

Environmental and social safeguards

The PAU continues to prioritise environmental protection and social responsibility. Uganda’s petroleum projects are among the least carbon-intensive globally and are designed to achieve net biodiversity gains. 

Social programmes have delivered 475 modern houses for Project Affected Persons.  Additionally, nearly 20,000 households are using the improved schools, health centres, water systems, and local infrastructure as a result of the project livelihood improvement programmes. “The oil and gas sector has brought tangible improvements that communities can feel,” Rubondo said.

Participation of Ugandans

National participation in the sector has flourished. Out of US$7 billion in approved contracts, US$ 2.2 billion has been awarded to Ugandan companies. Nearly 20,000 Ugandans are employed directly, with over 180,000 employed indirectly. Ugandans occupy 64% of management positions, 85% of technical roles, and 99% of support roles, while over 14,000 have received vocational and technical training, and more than 40 joint ventures have facilitated technology transfer.

Reflecting on a decade of institution building

Looking back, Rubondo emphasised that PAU’s growth has been central to Uganda’s ability to manage its oil and gas sector. From a single staff member in 2016, the Authority now employs 220 professionals, guided by a strategic plan and robust systems. “Over the last decade, PAU has grown into a strong regulator, ensuring that Uganda’s resources benefit its people,” he said. This institutional foundation positions the country to move safely and efficiently into the production phase, maximising the benefits of its oil and gas wealth.

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