By: Boy Fidel Leon
Uganda conducted its largest oil and gas emergency drill at Kabalega Industrial Park in Hoima, simulating a fire outbreak with casualties to test coordination between government agencies and oil companies. The exercise revealed significant capacity gaps as the country prepares for oil production.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda led the drill involving Total Energies, CNOOC, EACOP, and UNOC alongside government agencies including the police, military, health ministry, and local governments from the Albertine region.
Joel Tumwebaze, PAU’s Health and Safety Manager, was blunt about the findings: “This exercise exposed important gaps that must be addressed. Most agencies lack basic protective gear, and the biggest challenge is building capacity.”
The simulated scenario involved only a few casualties, but Tumwebaze noted the implications for real emergencies.
“The lack of workforce and equipment at district level shows we need to boost capacity for a sector where thousands of workers may be on site.”
Justus Tumwesigye from training firm Glauben Industrial Services highlighted the mismatch between international oil companies’ robust emergency systems and government agency preparedness.
“Oil companies have high standards, but government agencies must be ready when incidents exceed company capacity,” he said. “Frequent changes in security leadership, like District Police Commanders, hinder sustained capacity building.”
Brigadier General Frederick Rugadya of the National Emergency Coordination Centre emphasised the exercise’s importance: “This is a national treasure; we cannot afford to prepare only occasionally. A disaster could be catastrophic.”
His point reflects the high-stakes nature of oil operations, where industrial accidents can cause environmental devastation, massive casualties, and economic losses affecting entire regions.
The drill exposed deeper issues beyond equipment shortages. Coordinating multiple agencies during emergencies requires clear command structures, standardised procedures, and regular training, areas where Uganda’s government agencies appear underprepared.
The capacity gaps are particularly concerning given oil operations’ complexity. Refineries, pipelines, and drilling sites present unique hazards requiring specialised emergency response capabilities that differ significantly from conventional firefighting or medical emergencies.
With first oil production approaching, Uganda faces pressure to address these gaps quickly. Building emergency response capacity typically requires years of training, equipment procurement, and institutional development, and time may be running short.
The exercise serves as both warning and opportunity. While it revealed significant shortcomings, conducting such drills before oil production begins allows time for improvements, assuming government agencies act on the findings.
For communities in the Albertine region, the drill’s results should prompt serious questions about emergency preparedness. Living near major oil installations requires confidence that authorities can respond effectively to industrial accidents.
The exercise demonstrated Uganda’s recognition of oil sector risks and commitment to emergency preparedness. Whether the identified gaps get addressed adequately before production begins will determine if this drill becomes a valuable learning experience or a preview of future disasters.