Uganda’s first crude oil export is expected within months, according to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development.
ENTEBBE, UGANDA – Uganda's long-awaited journey to becoming an oil-producing nation is nearing its culmination, with the first crude expected to reach the international market within months, announced the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr Ruth Nankabirwa.
The declaration was made at the 17th Annual Conference on Earth Sciences and Mineral Resources, signalling a new era for the country's economic landscape.
Minister Nankabirwa assured global partners that the delay has been strategic, focused on ensuring that Uganda's oil operations meet the highest international standards of quality and environmental safety. "What might have seemed like a delay was a period of meticulous preparation to ensure our production meets and exceeds global benchmarks," the Minister stated.
Highlighting a commitment to sustainable development, Hon. Nankabirwa revealed that the revenue from oil production will be channelled into a new fund dedicated to environmental conservation. This initiative aims to support the global shift towards renewable energy. "This fund will help us expand electricity access nationwide, ultimately reducing the reliance on wood fuel and protecting our vital forest cover," she explained.
The conference, a gathering of the Organisation of African Geological Surveys (OAGS), brought together experts from 54 member nations. Dr Rhokaya Samba Diene, a leader of the delegation from Senegal, emphasised the organisation's core mission: to provide African nations with the expertise and knowledge necessary to responsibly develop their mineral wealth.
Also present were key figures, including the OAGS Vice-Chairperson, Mosa Mabuza from South Africa, and Uganda's Deputy Commissioner for Geological Survey, Gabriel Data. The discussions underscored a critical balance that African nations must strike: unlocking the immense economic potential of resources like oil, gold, copper, and zinc while ensuring the preservation of the continent's pristine natural environment for future generations.
The message from Entebbe was clear: Uganda is not merely extracting a resource; it is strategically positioning itself to leverage its oil wealth for sustainable, long-term national and environmental gain.
