The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) would be the only source of gasoline and gas products for all oil and marketing firms in Uganda, according to a statement made by Minister of Energy Ruth Nankabirwa in January 2024.

By making this choice, Uganda will be less dependent on Kenya and its petroleum supply will be stabilized.

In order to guarantee a steady supply and enhance pump pricing, my Ministry is supporting UNOC’s bid to become the exclusive provider to all Ugandan Oil Marketing Companies. According to Nankabirwa, “UNOC will directly supply Uganda’s Oil Marketing Companies beginning in January 2024, which will improve supply security and result in extremely competitive pump prices.”

Furthermore, Nankabirwa has been pushed by MPs to guarantee Ugandans that the nation will have its first oil production by 2025.

MPs questioned the earlier goal of May 2025 when the Minister told Parliament that the government and its partners are assiduously working towards producing first oil by the end of 2025. This raised concerns.

“She previously mentioned that we expected the first oil by May 2025, but in the Minister’s recent statement, she mentioned the end of 2025,” said Emmanuel Otaala, MP for West Budama South, expressing his concerns. This begs the question of whether the roadmap will change, thus we need more information on this.

The Minister blamed the activities of civil society organizations that have actively opposed Uganda’s oil projects for the alteration in the first oil schedule.

She did, however, reassure Parliament that the government has brought stability back to the industry and is actively working to guarantee that the project is completed on schedule.

“Civil society groups’ de-campaigning efforts have created obstacles for EACOP funding.” These elements have