energy 28 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Plans Third Oil Exploration Licensing Round for 2026/27
Uganda's Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa has announced a new oil exploration licensing round for the 2026/27 financial year, targeting the Albertine Graben and frontier basins. This move aims to expand the country's resource base as commercial crude production is set to begin later this year. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-to-offer-new-oil-exploration-licensing-round-in-2026-27-says-minister-5440088
Uganda is gearing up for its third petroleum exploration licensing round in the financial year starting July 2026, according to Energy and Mineral Development Minister Ruth Nankabirwa.
She shared this update during a petroleum conference, highlighting new blocks in the Albertine Graben and frontier basins like Moroto-Kadam and Kyoga.
The country anticipates launching commercial crude oil production later this year, with existing reserves of about 6.5 billion barrels located in the Albertine Graben, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only 40% of this region has been explored so far.
The previous licensing round, offering five blocks, ran from 2019 to 2023. Current fields are operated by TotalEnergies, CNOOC, and Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC).
Preliminary surveys are underway in the northern and northeastern basins to uncover additional potential.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)