Museveni names Uganda’s crude oil ‘Pearl Sweet’ as first oil nears

What the report says

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has branded the country’s crude oil “Pearl Sweet,” with the slogan “Born of the Pearl,” during a ceremony at the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube district on Wednesday, according to The Observer. The name reflects Uganda’s “Pearl of Africa” identity and refers to the crude’s relatively low sulphur content, which makes it easier to refine than heavier oil types.

The announcement came as Uganda moves closer to commercial oil production after nearly two decades of development since discoveries in the Albertine Graben in 2006. The Observer reports that first commercial output is expected by the end of September 2026. Officials said the Kingfisher project, operated by CNOOC Uganda Limited, is one of the main production sites and is expected to deliver about 40,000 barrels per day at peak output.

The larger Tilenga project, run by TotalEnergies EP Uganda, is designed for about 190,000 barrels per day, bringing the country’s combined planned upstream output to roughly 230,000 barrels per day. Uganda also depends on the 1,443-kilometre East African Crude Oil Pipeline to move crude to Tanzania’s coast; the pipeline company said it was 92.7% complete as of September 1. Museveni also described domestic refining, gas use and storage plans as part of the broader petroleum strategy.

The piece places the branding within wider questions about how Uganda will manage oil revenues, infrastructure and transparency once production begins.