PEARL SWEET: President Museveni Unveils official Name for Uganda’s Crude Oil Ahead of First Production

What the report says

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has named Uganda’s crude oil “Pearl Sweet” during a visit to the Kingfisher Oilfield in Buhuka, Kikuube District, according to Watchdog Uganda. The announcement came as the Kingfisher Central Processing Facility reached mechanical completion, a step the government described as a major milestone ahead of first oil production.

Museveni said the name reflects the crude’s low sulphur content and Uganda’s identity as the Pearl of Africa. He also used the visit to argue that the country should focus on refining oil locally, using gas from the field for electricity and liquefied petroleum gas rather than flaring it, and directing oil income toward long-term assets such as power and transport infrastructure.

The report said officials expect first oil from Kingfisher by the end of September, with the facility designed to handle 40,000 barrels per day. It also noted that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which will carry crude to Tanzania’s Tanga Port, was said to be more than 90% complete. The broader oil project matters because Uganda has long viewed petroleum as a key economic development driver, especially for the Albertine region.

The article also quoted government and industry figures including Energy Minister Monica Musenero, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and CNOOC Uganda. They described the project as part of wider industrial growth, local content development and regional infrastructure upgrades linked to the country’s move toward commercial oil production.