JUDICIARY Latest Features

Day Three of the Judiciary’s field study visit to the Albertine Graben underscored the importance of inter-institutional collaboration in supporting Uganda’s journey towards First Oil. Organised through a partnership involving the Judiciary, the Bank of Uganda (BoU), the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the visit gave judicial officers and officials from partner institutions firsthand exposure to the country’s strategic oil and gas infrastructure and operations.

The field study enabled participants to deepen their understanding of the legal, environmental, economic and governance dimensions of Uganda’s petroleum sector. Through visits to key project sites, the delegation gained valuable insight into ongoing investments, environmental stewardship, local content development, and the integrated infrastructure driving Uganda towards commercial oil production.

The day’s itinerary included visits to Kabalega International Airport, the Kingfisher Escarpment Viewpoint, Well Pad 1, and the Kingfisher Oil Waste Management Facility, where the delegation interacted with officials from government and industry.

Leading the delegation, the Chief Justice, Justice Dr Flavian Zeija, expressed appreciation to the hosts for exposing the Judiciary to the realities of Uganda’s oil and gas sector.

“We have to thank you so much for hosting us. You have even changed our attire. We are used to wearing wigs and judicial robes, but today we look like real engineers,” Justice Zeija remarked.

The Chief Justice said the visit had dispelled misconceptions that Uganda’s oil reserves had already been exhausted.

“Many people on social media claim there is no oil left, but what we have witnessed tells a completely different story. There is enormous work taking place here, and it is encouraging to see the progress being made.”

He also commended the sector’s commitment to promoting local content, noting that the increasing participation of Ugandans in specialised technical roles demonstrated the country’s growing capacity to sustain its petroleum industry.

Kabalega International Airport

At Kabalega International Airport, the delegation toured one of Uganda’s most significant infrastructure investments supporting the oil and gas sector.

The Chief Justice described the airport as a strategic national asset that will facilitate petroleum operations while contributing to Uganda’s broader economic transformation. He noted that the facility demonstrates Uganda’s capacity to accommodate some of the world’s largest heavy-lift cargo aircraft required to transport oversized equipment for oil and gas development.

Mr Amos Muriisa, Public Relations Officer at SBC Uganda, explained that the airport features a 3.5-kilometre runway within a five-kilometre airfield to accommodate turning pads and safety areas. He added that construction is now 98.8 per cent complete and that the airport was specifically developed to support Uganda’s emerging petroleum industry.

Kingfisher Escarpment Viewpoint

The delegation later visited the Kingfisher Escarpment Viewpoint, where officials provided a panoramic overview of the Kingfisher Development Area and its interconnected oil and gas infrastructure.

From the viewpoint, participants identified key facilities, including the Central Processing Facility (CPF), Well Pads, the Drilling Support Base, Kabalega Industrial Park, the Kingfisher Oil Waste Management Facility, and sections of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) corridor.

Officials explained how these facilities form an integrated production system—from drilling and production to processing, waste management and crude oil transportation—designed to ensure efficient, safe and environmentally responsible petroleum operations.

Well Pad 1

At Well Pad 1, engineers briefed the delegation on drilling, metering and oil production processes.

They explained how wells are drilled into underground reservoirs before crude oil flows through production tubing to the wellhead, where sophisticated metering systems accurately measure production volumes before the crude is transported to the Central Processing Facility for treatment and eventual export through the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.

Participants also learnt how real-time monitoring systems enhance operational efficiency while maintaining high standards of safety and environmental protection.

Officials informed the delegation that most upstream oil and gas infrastructure is nearing completion, with Uganda steadily progressing towards First Oil upon completion and commissioning of the remaining facilities, including the Central Processing Facilities and EACOP.

Kingfisher Oil Waste Management Facility

The delegation concluded the day’s field programme with a visit to the Kingfisher Oil Waste Management Facility, operated by a consortium comprising Luwero Industries, a subsidiary of the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), and the Chinese company HPP.

Welcoming the delegation, Lieutenant General James Mugira, Managing Director of the National Enterprise Corporation, explained that the facility was commissioned by H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on 24 January 2023 and has since been safely managing hazardous waste generated from petroleum operations.

He said the facility was established to ensure environmentally sound treatment and disposal of oil waste in accordance with international standards, thereby safeguarding communities, wildlife and the environment.

Lt Gen Mugira revealed that approximately US$6 million had been invested in the facility through internally generated resources and support from development partners.

He noted that NEC’s contribution to the petroleum sector extends beyond waste management. Through its subsidiaries, the Corporation is constructing 86 kilometres of internal roads under a contract with the Uganda National Oil Company, building Pump Station One for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, and providing security for pipeline construction.

Outside the petroleum sector, NEC also undertakes secure destruction of withdrawn currency for the Bank of Uganda and manages medical waste disposal using advanced incineration technology.

The delegation also observed the facility’s waste treatment process, where oil-contaminated waste is received, sorted, treated, recycled where possible, and safely disposed of in compliance with environmental standards.

Leaders Commend Uganda’s Growing Technical Capacity

Justice Zeija praised the professionalism displayed by the engineers, particularly those from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), saying their expertise demonstrated the value of investing in technical education and professionalising the armed forces.

He noted that the increasing number of national infrastructure projects entrusted to UPDF engineering units reflected government’s confidence in their capabilities, citing ongoing security infrastructure within the Judiciary as one example.

Similarly, Bank of Uganda Governor Dr Michael Atingi-Ego commended the progress made in Uganda’s petroleum sector, observing that the country’s macroeconomic outlook is closely linked to the successful commencement of commercial oil production.

He said government’s projected Shs1.4 trillion in oil revenue for the 2026/2027 financial year, together with anticipated export growth, depended on the successful implementation of the ongoing petroleum projects.

“The visit has given me confidence that these projections are supported by visible progress on the ground,” he said, while also applauding government’s deliberate investment in building local technical expertise.

Mr Innocent Kihika, a Board Member of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, said the visit provided an invaluable opportunity for leaders to witness firsthand the significant progress being made towards commercial oil production.

Meanwhile, Mr John Bosco Habumugisha, Deputy Managing Director and General Manager of the Uganda branch of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), said the project is designed not only to deliver First Oil but also to establish a sustainable petroleum industry that will benefit generations of Ugandans.

He noted that Uganda’s commercially recoverable oil reserves are expected to sustain production for approximately 25 years, while the pipeline itself has a design life exceeding 50 years with proper maintenance. He added that Uganda, through the Uganda National Oil Company, holds a 15 per cent equity stake in EACOP, ensuring long-term national benefits from the strategic infrastructure.

The visit reaffirmed the value of continued collaboration between the Judiciary and institutions involved in Uganda’s petroleum sector. 

By gaining practical exposure to petroleum operations, environmental safeguards and the country’s supporting infrastructure, judicial officers are better equipped to appreciate the complex legal, commercial and environmental issues that may arise as Uganda moves closer to first oil.