Uganda plans oil production from 2025: Tilenga project in focus
Uganda gears up for oil exploration: Tilenga project brings economic boost and environmental concerns

Uganda plans to start producing oil from the Tilenga project in the first half of 2025, according to Uganda National Oil Co (UNOC) CEO Proscovia Nabbanja. Speaking at an energy conference in Singapore, Nabbanja said drilling had already begun and equipment was ready for use. As a result, the first oil volumes are expected to be produced in 2025 as planned.
The Tilenga project is located in Buliisa and Nwoya districts in Uganda's Lake Albert oil fields. It is operated by French energy company TotalEnergies in partnership with China's CNOOC Ltd (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) and UNOC. Oil from the Tilenga project will be transported to and exported from the port of Tanga in Tanzania via the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), a $3.5 billion pipeline.
The EACOP has the capacity to transport up to 246,000 barrels of crude oil per day to world markets by 2025. TotalEnergies is EACOP's largest shareholder with a 62% stake. Other investors include state-owned UNOC and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation, each holding 15%, while China's CNOOC has an 8% stake.
However, TotalEnergies is again facing lawsuits from five activist groups accusing the energy company of neglecting the protection of people and the environment at the Tilenga and EACOP projects. This is the second lawsuit against TotalEnergies in this context.
The development of the oil sector in Uganda presents opportunities, but also challenges in terms of environmental and social compatibility. It will be crucial that the companies involved assume their responsibilities and take appropriate measures to minimize negative impacts and take into account the interests of the affected communities.
The above information is based on statements made by UNOC's CEO and published reports. It remains to be seen how oil production in Uganda will develop and what impact it will have on the country and the region.
