Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, says he is impressed with the ongoing oil drilling activities at Well Pad Two at the Kingfisher Oil Development Field in the Kikuube district.

He made the remarks after China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the contractor of the Kingfisher Oil Development reported that they have so far drilled 3,000 metres deep out of the 5000 metres at the first oil well before hitting oil in Well Pad 2.

On 24th January 2023, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched the drilling of oil wells at Kingfisher Oil field in Buhuka, Kikuube district, starting with well pad 2 out of the about 400 oil wells expected to be drilled in the development and commercial production of Uganda’s oil and gas resources. 

Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda recently led a team from the authority on a monitoring and supervision visit to the oil wells. The contractor, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), said that the 60.5 metre-Kingfisher oil rig has so far drilled 2,890 metres deep out of 5,000 metres expected to be drilled on Well Pad 2.

Rubondo urged the local people to find ways in which they can tap into the developments put in place to make money and improve their livelihoods.

He said that the Petroleum Authority and other agencies of government are doing all it takes to ensure that local residents in the oil area are empowered and their capacities built in order to have them benefit from oil and gas.

Rubondo urged Ugandans not to overlook the developments happening now in the oil region and instead wait to take interest after oil production begins.

Many locals have expressed happiness that oil activities have transformed the Buhuka landing site in terms of business and the population has also increased.

Vitas Mwogezi also noted that cross-border trade between Uganda and neighbouring DR Congo is booming due to oil developments.

Uganda expects to have its first commercial quantities of oil off the ground in 2025 as commercial oil production begins, there will be drilling for 3-4 years, alongside the development of other infrastructure.