UNBS pushes for strict quality standards as Uganda nears first oil
Uganda’s oil and gas sector is entering a critical phase, with infrastructure development progressing across upstream and midstream projects. Authorities say embedding quality assurance systems at this stage will be key to ensuring efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness once production begins.
By George Niyonzima
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards has intensified calls for strict adherence to quality and measurement standards in Uganda’s oil and gas sector as the country moves closer to first oil, expected before the end of 2026.
Speaking during a field visit to the Tilenga project in Buliisa District, UNBS Executive Director James Kasigwa emphasized the need for precision and compliance across all operations, particularly in metering systems that determine production volumes.
“As Uganda prepares for first oil, we must ensure that every drop extracted is accurately measured and meets international standards,” Kasigwa said, noting that UNBS is prioritising metrology and certification as critical pillars in the sector.
He added that the bureau is focused on building quality-driven enterprises, especially in measurement sciences, to support the country’s participation in the highly regulated global oil and gas industry. Kasigwa warned that local companies seeking to tap into opportunities in the sector must meet stringent technical and quality requirements.
The visit forms part of a broader three-day monitoring exercise by the National Standards Council, the UNBS Board of Directors, across key oil and gas infrastructure projects in the Albertine region.
The team inspected several strategic sites, including the Tilenga Project in Buliisa, the Kingfisher Development Project, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, as well as waste management facilities operated by Enviroserve and Luwero Industries. The delegation also visited developments at the Kabalega Industrial Park.
According to UNBS, the monitoring exercise is aimed at integrating standards, certification, and metrology into ongoing oil and gas developments to ensure readiness for production and eventual crude export.
Meanwhile, Joseph Kobusheshe, Director for Environment, Health and Safety at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, said the authority is working closely with UNBS to ensure compliance with national and international standards.
“We have continued to collaborate with UNBS in areas of mutual interest to guarantee that all operations meet required standards,” Kobusheshe said.
Uganda’s oil and gas sector is entering a critical phase, with infrastructure development progressing across upstream and midstream projects. Authorities say embedding quality assurance systems at this stage will be key to ensuring efficiency, accountability, and competitiveness once production begins.
