According to Energy and Mineral Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Eng. Pauline Irene Batebe, the Kingfisher project is about 80 per cent complete, while first-oil readiness stands at 98 per cent, with commissioning tests underway.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially named Uganda’s crude oil “Pearl Sweet Petroleum” as the country moves closer to its long-awaited first commercial oil production.
Museveni unveiled the name during a visit to the Kingfisher Oilfield in Buhuka, Kikuube District, where the project’s Central Processing Facility (CPF) has reached mechanical completion, marking a major milestone in Uganda’s oil development.
The President explained that the word “Sweet” refers to the crude oil’s very low or negligible sulphur content, which makes it cheaper and easier to refine. “Pearl,” meanwhile, reflects Uganda’s identity as the Pearl of Africa.
Museveni said Uganda’s petroleum resources have the potential to transform the economy if properly managed and linked to industrial development.
He stressed that oil revenues should not be used for consumption and luxury imports, but instead invested in durable infrastructure and productive assets that will benefit future generations.
“The money will be used to do durable things — to build power stations, build the railway and other things which will be there for the grandchildren,” he said.
Refinery remains a priority
Museveni also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing an oil refinery, despite the ongoing development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
He said refining crude locally would reduce the cost of petroleum products by avoiding transportation, transit and other costs associated with importing refined fuel.
The President said Uganda currently spends billions of dollars importing petroleum products and argued that the refinery would enable the country to retain more value from its oil resources.
Kingfisher prepares for first oil
According to Energy and Mineral Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Eng. Pauline Irene Batebe, the Kingfisher project is about 80 per cent complete, while first-oil readiness stands at 98 per cent, with commissioning tests underway.
She said Uganda expects to achieve first oil by the end of September.
The Kingfisher Central Processing Facility has been designed to handle up to 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The crude from Kingfisher is waxy and low in sulphur and must be kept hot during transportation because it solidifies at normal temperatures.
It will be transported through the 1,443-kilometre EACOP to Tanga Port in Tanzania. The pipeline was reported to be 92.7 per cent complete.
Gas to generate electricity
Museveni said Uganda would not flare associated gas produced at Kingfisher. Instead, the gas will be used to generate electricity and produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking.
He said the Kingfisher field alone could generate up to 80 megawatts of electricity, while some of the gas would be processed into LPG.
The President also said Uganda still has significant petroleum potential in the Lake Albert region, noting that only about 40 per cent of the lake has so far been explored.
Of the estimated 6.5 billion barrels of confirmed oil, he said the discoveries cover only about 40 per cent of Lake Albert, leaving further exploration opportunities.
Oil development boosts Bunyoro
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the oil programme had contributed to major developments in the Bunyoro sub-region, including the construction of Kabalega International Airport, Kabalega Industrial Park, more than 500 kilometres of tarmacked roads and improvements in health facilities.
Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Wu Guangrong reaffirmed China’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Uganda in oil and gas, infrastructure, trade and investment. He said the partnership should also focus on skills development, employment, local content and industrialisation.
CNOOC Uganda Limited President Liu Xiangdong also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable development of the Kingfisher project, including working with government and communities around the oilfield.
The Kingfisher Development Area includes the CPF, four well pads, camps, a supply base and a 47-kilometre feeder pipeline. Of the planned 31 wells, 22 are ready, with some extending more than seven kilometres underground.
With the CPF mechanically complete and commissioning underway, the Kingfisher project is now entering its final stages before Uganda begins commercial oil production.
