By Editorial,
The government will not be distracted by the pressure from activists to halt the ongoing construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline, the Energy and Mineral Development Minister, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu has revealed.
Hon. Nankabirwa’s stance follows last week’s report released by GreenFaith, an international and multi-faith climate justice organization that accused French fossil fuel giant, TotalEnergies of disrespecting over 2,000 graves along the proposed more than 1000 km-long underground oil pipeline.
While speaking during the launch of the 19th Annual Energy and Minerals Week that commenced yesterday at the Akamwesi Shopping Mall in Kawempe Division, Dr. Nankabirwa noted that the Uganda-Tanzania Crude Oil Pipeline has suffered blackmail since its inception in 2013 from activists but that will not distract the government and that the project funders, adding that 40 percent of approximately 11.449 trillion shillings has already been secured to deliver the long-awaited pipeline. Hon. Nankabirwa speaking…….
According to Hon. Nankabirwa, Uganda’s hope to produce the first oil is on course and drilling has commenced at Kingfisher, the first commercial oil field in Kikuube, and Tilenga in Buliisa Districts. Hon. Nankabirwa speaking2……..
The Minister also revealed that the government has procured the services of a new developer for the oil refinery who has commenced work on the ground. In spite of the delays, Dr Nankabirwa noted that Uganda’s first oil will be out latest in 2026. END
