Uganda’s long-awaited oil refinery project is on schedule to begin operations between the fourth quarter of 2029 and the first quarter of 2030, according to officials from the Uganda Refinery Holding Company (URHC).
The $4 billion facility, located in Kabaale, Hoima District, represents a major milestone in Uganda’s decade-long effort to build a domestic oil-processing industry and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.
The refinery is being developed through a public–private partnership between the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and Alpha MBM Investments, a United Arab Emirates–based firm. Under the arrangement, UNOC will hold a 40 percent equity stake, while Alpha MBM provides technical and financial expertise for the project’s completion.
According to project officials, the refinery will have a processing capacity of 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, with output expected to include petrol, diesel, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fertilizers, and petrochemical products.
In addition to the refinery, the government plans to establish a large industrial park adjacent to the site, backed by investments estimated at up to $6 billion. The park will host industries in manufacturing, logistics, and energy, and is expected to serve as a regional hub for trade and value-added production within East and Central Africa.
Officials say site preparation, land acquisition, and environmental assessments have been completed, while construction work will commence following the finalization of engineering designs and financial closure in 2026.
Speaking on Tuesday, a senior URHC representative said the refinery is central to Uganda’s national energy strategy, which aims to promote energy security, local job creation, and industrial development.
“The refinery project is more than an energy investment—it is a foundation for industrial transformation,” the official noted. “It will create thousands of jobs, support regional energy needs, and position Uganda as a key player in Africa’s oil value chain.”
The Hoima refinery forms part of Uganda’s broader oil infrastructure plan, which includes the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) linking Hoima to Tanga in Tanzania. Together, these projects are expected to unlock billions in investment, stimulate economic diversification, and strengthen Uganda’s position as a growing energy producer in the region.
