Uganda’s oil reserves rise to 1.65 billion barrels

Uganda’s petroleum sector has recorded an important milestone with an increase in its oil and gas resource estimates. This was confirmed by Mr. Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), during a media engagement marking 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. Mr. Rubondo revealed that the increase resulted mainly from updated evaluations of existing oil and gas discoveries in the Albertine Graben, supported by an enhanced data portfolio within the discovery and development areas.

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

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

“Uganda’s flagship projects—Tilenga, Kingfisher, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline—have now reached advanced stages of completion,” Mr. 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 achieved 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, Mr. 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 also advancing steadily following the signing of the Implementation Agreement in March 2025. Ongoing activities include 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, which hosts over 60 terabytes of electronic data and thousands of physical samples. The planned Real-Time Monitoring Centre will allow 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 now benefit from improved schools, health centres, water systems, and local infrastructure resulting from the project’s livelihood improvement programmes. “The oil and gas sector has brought tangible improvements that communities can feel,” Mr. Rubondo said.

Participation of Ugandans

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

Reflecting on a decade of institution building

Reflecting on the past decade, Mr. 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 strong regulatory 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.