Members of Uganda's Parliamentary Committee on Budget have completed a field visit to inspect key petroleum development projects, assessing progress and preparedness for the country's first oil production. Led by Committee Chairperson Amos Kankunda, the delegation visited major oil and gas infrastructure, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) Pump Station One (PS1), the Kabaale Industrial Park, and the Kingfisher Development Project. The visit aimed to ensure accountability and successful implementation of strategic national projects.
The EACOP project has reached 92% overall completion, with all line pipe laid and buried, and has entered the pre-commissioning and testing phase for key facilities and support infrastructure. The Tilenga Project stands at 78% completion, with 256 wells drilled to date, while the Kingfisher Development Project has achieved 90% completion. These projects are critical to Uganda's oil production, with the country expecting its first oil soon. The Committee received updates on the status of these projects, which are now in advanced stages of development.
During the visit, Kankunda emphasized the importance of the oversight exercise, enabling the Committee to understand progress and outstanding issues requiring attention ahead of first oil. He commended the progress made across the projects and reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to supporting interventions necessary to ensure timely delivery of first oil and maximize national benefits from the sector. The Committee also received technical briefings on petroleum exploration activities and the importance of sustaining investments beyond first oil production.
Joshua Lukaye, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Exploration at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, emphasized the strategic importance of continued exploration to secure Uganda's long-term production outlook. He noted that increasing investment in exploration activities would support resource replacement, attract additional investment into the sector, and ensure optimum utilization of petroleum infrastructure over the long term. The Committee engaged project teams on key issues, including project schedules, budget requirements, and local content implementation.
The Committee observed that Uganda's petroleum sector is entering a critical phase as major infrastructure moves from construction to commissioning and operations. They emphasized the importance of continued coordination among government agencies, licensed companies, and other stakeholders. The legislators also discussed the readiness of key government institutions for the transition from project development to oil production, noting that continued investments will be required to strengthen regulatory oversight and environmental monitoring.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) is establishing a Real-Time Monitoring Centre to capture data from all operations in real-time. The PAU Manager Facilities & Production, Allan Rogers Kibaya, said the centre will ensure that data from all operations is captured in real-time, including information from meters. The Committee expressed satisfaction with the progress registered across the petroleum value chain and pledged continued parliamentary support for the sector.
The Committee concluded that significant progress has been made across the projects, and they have gained a better appreciation of the investments being made. They remain committed to supporting interventions that will ensure first oil is achieved and that the sector delivers lasting value to the people of Uganda. Key government institutions, including the PAU, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and Uganda National Oil Company, are undertaking measures to ensure the country is fully prepared to manage the operational, commercial, environmental, and fiscal demands associated with the commencement of oil production.
Key points
- The Ugandan government is making significant progress in developing its petroleum sector, with key projects nearing completion.
- The country's first oil production is expected soon, with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and other projects in advanced stages of development.
- The Parliamentary Committee on Budget is committed to supporting interventions that will ensure timely delivery of first oil and maximize national benefits from the sector.
