By Ukumbi Afrika 
Kampala—Uganda has named its blended crude oil grade “Pearl Sweet”, marking a major step toward the start of commercial oil production expected by the end of 2026.
Uganda discovered commercially viable crude reserves nearly two decades ago in oilfields located in the Albertine Rift Basin, along its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, production has faced repeated delays due to infrastructure constraints and disagreements between the government and international oil companies over development plans.
President Yoweri Museveni unveiled the crude grade's name during a ceremony in Kikuube district, around 250 km west of Kampala.
The name reflects both the characteristics and national identity of the crude. “Sweet” refers to its low sulphur content, while “Pearl” draws from Uganda's long-standing description as the “Pearl of Africa”, a phrase popularised by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Commercial Marketing Begins
Following the naming ceremony, companies developing Uganda's oilfields will begin engaging potential buyers and refineries.
State-owned Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said the next phase will include outreach to refineries, market intelligence and commercial negotiations with interested buyers.
Uganda is estimated to have 1.65 billion barrels of recoverable oil reserves, with production expected to peak at approximately 230, 000 barrels per day.
TotalEnergies and CNOOC Lead Development
French energy major TotalEnergies holds the largest stake in Uganda's oilfields at 56.67%.
China's CNOOC owns 28.33%, while UNOC holds the remaining interest.
The development represents one of Uganda's most significant efforts to transform its oil reserves into a major source of export earnings and government revenue.
Crude to Flow Through $5 Billion Pipeline
Once production begins, Pearl Sweet crude is expected to be exported through the $5 billion East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP).
The 1, 443-km pipeline will transport crude from Uganda's oilfields to the Tanzanian port of Tanga on the Indian Ocean coast. It is described as the world's longest electrically heated crude oil pipeline, a technology required to keep Uganda's waxy crude flowing.
UNOC said Pearl Sweet broadly shares characteristics with other waxy, sweet crude blends, including Chad's Doba and the Nile and Dar grades produced in South Sudan and Sudan.
The start of production would mark a major milestone for Uganda after years of delays and could significantly reshape the country's energy and export landscape.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Elias Biryabarema
Editing: Vincent Mumo Nzilani& Mark Potter