The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu, has announced that Uganda is expected to receive its first crude oil by June 2026. She made the revelation on November 19, 2025, during the opening of the 17th Organization of African Geological Surveys Elective General Assembly held in Entebbe.
During her address, Minister Nankabirwa emphasized the urgent need for the government to fast-track the completion of oil laboratories certified to international standards. She noted that these labs are critical for efficient oil exploration in the Albertine region, as they provide reliable testing for geological samples.
The Minister highlighted that the presence of a certified laboratory in Uganda would significantly reduce costs currently incurred when mineral samples are exported abroad for testing. She stressed that this step would make the country more attractive to investors looking to engage in mineral exploration and development.
Acknowledging the progress made so far, Hon. Nankabirwa admitted that Uganda’s oil labs are still not fully certified to global standards, but reassured that her Ministry is working diligently to address the shortfall. She revealed that the laboratories have already reached 93.1% compliance, signaling near completion.
“The key to developing the mineral sector is having internationally certified labs. Investors should be able to test their samples locally without incurring excessive costs. This infrastructure will also enable Uganda to carry out value addition and accurately assess the quality of its resources,” the Minister explained.
Minister Nankabirwa also reiterated the importance of implementing the law prohibiting the export of unprocessed minerals. She emphasized that these measures, along with certified labs, will ensure that Uganda benefits fully from its mineral resources, while confirming that the first barrels of oil are anticipated in June next year.
Dr. Diene Rokhaya Samba, President of the Organization of African Geological Surveys, encouraged African nations, including Uganda, to focus on value addition rather than exporting raw mineral resources. Meanwhile, Ms. Agnes Alaba, the Commissioner for Mines at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, reaffirmed ongoing efforts to ensure thorough resource certification in line with international standards.
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