Uganda on Track for 2026 Oil Production

Uganda’s government has confirmed that first oil production will begin in 2026, with $7.5 billion in foreign investment driving major progress at the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields as infrastructure and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline near completion.

Uganda’s Ministry of Energy has reaffirmed that the country will commence its first oil production in 2026, dispelling mounting speculation about further delays to the long-awaited project. Officials made the announcement during an inspection visit to oil development sites in the Albertine Graben, underscoring significant progress in infrastructure, drilling, and investment commitments.

The ministry revealed that more than $7.5 billion in foreign investment has already been injected into Uganda’s oil sector, mainly by TotalEnergies and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), who are leading development at the Tilenga and Kingfisher fields respectively. Both sites, located in the country’s western region, are nearing operational readiness as key facilities reach advanced stages of completion.

“Uganda remains firmly on track to produce its first barrel of oil next year,” said Ruth Nankabirwa, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development. “The major infrastructure components are in place, and we are determined to deliver on this national milestone.”

Construction on access roads, the Kabaale international airport in Hoima, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is also progressing rapidly, according to officials. Once operational, the pipeline will transport crude from Uganda’s fields to Tanzania’s Indian Ocean port of Tanga, marking one of the largest cross-border energy projects in Africa.

The government says the oil development will generate thousands of local jobs and significantly boost revenues, transforming Uganda into a key regional energy hub. Authorities have also emphasised environmental safeguards and community engagement to mitigate the social impacts associated with oil extraction.

After years of delays due to regulatory hurdles and financing challenges, Uganda’s renewed confidence signals a turning point for the project first discovered in 2006. The combination of completed infrastructure and sustained investment has revived optimism among both policymakers and investors.

For many Ugandans, the long-promised “first oil” represents not only economic transformation but also national pride. As one senior official remarked during the visit, “The wells are no longer a dream—they are a promise fulfilled.”