Colonel Edith Nakalema, Head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, affirmed the government’s unwavering dedication to achieving the 2025 milestone of Uganda’s inaugural oil production while emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the interests of Ugandans in the process.
Speaking at a collaborative media briefing held at the State House Investors Protection Unit Offices in Kampala, Colonel Nakalema underscored the unit’s mandate to safeguard all investments in the nation, including those within the oil and gas sector, to foster the steady advancement of the country.
Joining the discussion, Ms. Proscovia Nabbanja, CEO of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), provided assurance regarding the positive trajectory of Uganda’s oil and gas industry, affirming the nation’s readiness to meet the 2025 production target. Additionally, Ms. Nabbanja clarified UNOC’s pivotal role in managing Uganda’s commercial interests in the petroleum sector and ensuring sustainable resource exploitation.
Detailing Uganda’s petroleum resource potential, Ms. Nabbanja highlighted the estimated 6.5 billion barrels of Stock Tank Oil-Initially-In-Place (STOIIP), with a recoverable estimate ranging from 1.4 to 1.7 billion barrels. However, she noted that only 40 percent of the Albertine Graben is currently licensed for exploration and production.
Moreover, Ms. Nabbanja elaborated on the government’s comprehensive commercialization plan, which encompasses key initiatives such as the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the Kabalega Industrial Park, and the Uganda Oil Refinery in Kabaale, Hoima District. This plan aims to ensure the sustainability and profitability of petroleum production in Uganda, including the establishment of a 60,000 barrel per day refinery and the construction of the EACOP to facilitate crude oil exportation to the international market.
Highlighting UNOC’s ongoing projects, Ms. Nabbanja spotlighted the Jinja Storage Terminal, a vital 30-million-litre refined petroleum products storage facility, and announced plans for a new storage terminal in Namwabula, Mpigi. Additionally, she emphasized UNOC’s recent acquisition of sole importation status, a strategic move aimed at ensuring petroleum supply security and mitigating price fluctuations.
Emphasizing environmental and social responsibility, Ms. Nabbanja reiterated UNOC’s adherence to international standards for managing environmental and social impacts associated with oil and gas projects. She further emphasized the numerous socio-economic benefits stemming from the sector, including infrastructure development, enhanced welfare, skills transfer, and employment opportunities for Ugandans.