The Kingfisher oil project in Kikuube District has reached a significant milestone, with its Central Processing Facility (CPF) now 99 per cent complete as Uganda moves closer toward producing its first commercial oil.

Officials from operator CNOOC Uganda Limited confirmed that 22 of the 31 planned production wells are fully drilled and ready for operation. The project has now entered its final phase of development, focusing on surface facility integration and commissioning preparations.

A step closer to production. Kingfisher represents one of Uganda's two major upstream developments alongside the Tilenga project in the Albertine Graben. Alongside these extraction sites, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is currently reported at roughly 91 per cent completion. Government representatives have indicated that the majority of project-affected persons in the area have received compensation, clearing key social regulatory hurdles.

Synchronization hurdles remain. While progress on the ground is evident, energy analysts note that all three flagship projects—Kingfisher, Tilenga, and EACOP—are strictly interdependent. Commercial crude cannot flow until surface infrastructure across all three ventures is fully integrated and tested. Although technical teams remain confident of achieving first oil within the targeted 2026 window, the final timeline depends on seamless cross-project synchronization and ongoing environmental safeguards.

King Musah Media will continue to follow developments across the oil and gas sector as the nation approaches commercial production.