By Diana N. Kintu
The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has marked ten years of operations, celebrating a decade defined by institutional growth, strategic leadership, and an expanding role in managing the country’s petroleum resources. The milestone has been met with praise from government leaders, industry partners, and staff who have watched the organisation develop into a cornerstone of Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking during the anniversary celebrations, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa, commended UNOC for its professionalism, resilience and unwavering commitment to ensuring that Ugandans fully benefit from ongoing petroleum developments. She noted that as Uganda moves steadily toward achieving First Oil, the company continues to play an indispensable role in flagship projects such as Tilenga, Kingfisher, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the Kabaale Industrial Park and the country’s national petroleum storage facilities.
The minister emphasised that UNOC’s progress mirrors Uganda’s broader ambition to build a competitive, transparent and sustainable energy sector. She attributed much of the sector’s stability to the strategic guidance of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whose long-term vision, she said, has ensured that the country’s natural resources are developed responsibly and with national interest at the forefront. Nankabirwa reaffirmed the government’s confidence in UNOC as a key institution tasked with safeguarding national participation in the oil value chain.
In their reflections, UNOC’s leadership stated that the company is entering its second decade with strengthened focus and renewed determination to expand operations across the entire petroleum value chain. They highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, deepen national involvement in oil-related activities and create lasting socio-economic value for Ugandans. The next decade, they noted, will be crucial as the company transitions from preparation to full-scale operational roles once commercial oil production begins.
As part of the celebrations, UNOC held an internal awards ceremony honouring departments and individuals who have made notable contributions over the years. Staff members were recognised for their dedication, teamwork and service, with management emphasising that the organisation’s achievements are the result of collective effort across all units. The gestures aimed to reinforce a culture of excellence and appreciation within the company.
Special tribute was paid to the long-serving employees who joined UNOC at its inception in 2015. These pioneers were recognised for their foundational role in shaping the company’s identity, values and direction. Their commitment over the past decade, leaders noted, continues to inspire newer teams that have since joined the organisation as it grows in size and mandate.
Acknowledgement also extended to Minister Nankabirwa and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Irene Bateebe, whose oversight and support have helped guide UNOC’s progress. Their leadership, UNOC officials said, has been crucial in navigating the technical, regulatory and financial complexities of the petroleum sector.
As the celebrations came to a close, the sentiment within UNOC was one of pride and renewed purpose. The company’s first ten years have laid the foundations for Uganda’s future as an oil-producing nation, and its next phase will focus on operational readiness, national value creation and long-term sustainability. With First Oil on the horizon, UNOC’s decade-long journey stands as both a reflection of progress made and a commitment to the work ahead in shaping Uganda’s energy future.