KAMPALA, Uganda — The government has reaffirmed its target of July 2026 for Uganda’s first oil production, as major developments continue at the Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA), one of the country’s flagship petroleum projects.
The KFDA, operated by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), is expected to produce about 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day at peak output once fully operational.
According to updates from project authorities, 18 out of 31 planned wells have already been drilled, marking significant progress toward completion of the development phase. (monitor.co.ug)
The Kingfisher project is part of Uganda’s broader oil development programme in the Albertine Graben, which also includes infrastructure linked to the TotalEnergies-operated Tilenga project and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.
Government officials have repeatedly emphasized that the country remains on course for first oil, a milestone that has been in development for over a decade and is expected to significantly boost national revenue and energy production capacity.
Authorities say ongoing drilling, infrastructure completion, and pipeline works are all aligned with the planned production timeline.
Once operational, Uganda’s oil sector is projected to transform the economy through job creation, increased export earnings, and investment in downstream industries.
However, analysts continue to caution that timelines in large-scale petroleum projects remain subject to operational, technical, and financing factors, even as progress at Kingfisher signals steady advancement toward production.