Oil Countdown: Government to Release Updated First-Oil Timeline as EPC Contractors Push to Meet 2026 Deadline

Kampala, Uganda

The Ministry of Energy is preparing to issue an updated First Oil Readiness Report, expected to outline progress on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), refinery facilities, and upstream Tilenga/Kingfisher operations.

Industry insiders suggest the report will confirm that engineering and procurement works are accelerating, with several previously delayed components now on track, including marine storage infrastructure and power interconnection lines.

International contractors have reportedly mobilized additional manpower to meet the mid-2026 production target — a date seen as strategically important for both revenue planning and political signaling ahead of national elections.

Why It Matters:

The oil timeline directly affects investor confidence and macroeconomic projections.

Government borrowing and infrastructure rollout depend heavily on projected oil revenue flows.

Delays could create fiscal strain and political wave effects.

What to Watch:

Whether the timeline shifts forward or backward.

Status of land acquisition and community resettlement.

Global oil price forecasts and ESG investor pressure.