Uganda reaffirms first oil timeline, eyes refinery completion by 2030
CAPE TOWN, October 17, 2026 — Uganda is on track to begin commercial oil production by June 2027, with first exports expected to follow through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline [EACOP], according to Kristina Kasebayo, Head of Compliance at the Uganda National Oil Company [UNOC].
Speaking during a fireside chat at African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, Kasebayo reaffirmed Uganda’s first oil timeline and said the country plans to reach a final investment decision [FID] on its planned domestic refinery in February 2027, with completion targeted for 2030.
“First oil will start before the end of our financial year – June 2027 – which will position us as an oil producing country,” Kasebayo said.
She said EACOP, which will transport Uganda’s crude oil to the Tanzanian coast for export, is currently 92 percent complete, with crude exports expected to begin after production starts.
The milestone will mark a major step for Uganda, nearly two decades after the country’s first commercial oil discoveries in 2006. While Uganda has established substantial upstream resources, the development of export infrastructure and supporting regulatory frameworks has been critical to bringing the oil to market.
“The challenge was never getting the oil out of the ground, but having the infrastructure and regulation in place,” Kasebayo said, noting that the necessary agreements are now in place.
Alongside its export plans, Uganda is advancing preparations for a domestic refinery intended to strengthen national energy security and support local fuel supply.
The refinery is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to capture greater value from its petroleum resources by combining crude exports with domestic processing capacity.
“We intend to take FID for the domestic refinery in February 2027 and expect the refinery to be complete by 2030,” Kasebayo said.
Uganda is also preparing to market its crude internationally under the name Pearl Sweet, drawing on the country’s identity as the Pearl of Africa.
According to Kasebayo, the crude grade has already gained international recognition, positioning Uganda to engage global buyers as the country’s export infrastructure nears completion.
https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-museveni-names-ugandas-crude-oil-pearl-sweet/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
