The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), Licensed Oil Companies, the Civil Society Coalition on Oil and Gas (CSCO), and development partners, will host the 4th Annual Joint CSO Conference on Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector on 11th November 2026, at Mestil Hotel, Kampala, under the theme: “Advancing Sustainability in Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector: Progress, Lessons, and Look Ahead.”
The conference will bring together close to 300 stakeholders from government, industry, civil society, academia, youth organisations, development partners, and communities hosting oil and gas activities to reflect on the sector’s sustainability journey and discuss priorities as Uganda advances towards production.
Uganda’s petroleum sector has registered immense progress over the past four years, and now on the verge of achieving First Oil, with major milestones achieved across the Tilenga, Kingfisher, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and refinery-related developments. Alongside infrastructure development, stakeholders have implemented initiatives aimed at environmental protection, socio-economic transformation, national content development, and community empowerment. The conference will provide a platform to assess these gains, share lessons learned, and explore opportunities for strengthening sustainability outcomes for present and future generations.
The event will feature keynote presentations and panel discussions on topics including petroleum development and the Sustainable Development Goals, climate resilience, socio-economic value creation, national content, youth participation, environmental stewardship, and stakeholder collaboration.
A keynote address on Petroleum Development and the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Lessons and Emerging Trends will be delivered by Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, Professor and UNESCO Chair on Environment Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).
Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms. Gloria Sebikari, Manager Corporate Affairs at the PAU, said:
“As Uganda prepares for production, sustainability must remain at the centre of all petroleum sector activities. This conference provides an important opportunity for government, industry and civil society to reflect on the progress made, openly discuss lessons learned, and collectively identify actions that will ensure long-term value creation for Ugandans.”
Mr. Bashir Twesigye, the Chairperson CSCO, on behalf of the civil society coalition, said:
“The Annual Joint CSO Conference has become a credible platform for dialogue and engagement. We have seen increasing collaboration among stakeholders over the years, and we look forward to building on that momentum as we shape a sustainable future for Uganda’s oil and gas sector.”
He further noted:
“Sustainability encompasses various facets including environment protection, economic empowerment, social inclusion, responsible governance, climate resilience, and ensuring that petroleum resources contribute meaningfully to national development. These are some of the critical conversations that stakeholders will engage in during the conference.”
The conference is expected to culminate in a shared set of recommendations and commitments aimed at enhancing collaboration and advancing sustainability within Uganda’s petroleum sector as development transitions towards production and long-term operations.
Uganda’s petroleum sector has already attracted over USD 12.3 billion in investment, created more than 22,000 direct jobs, supported over 200,000 indirect and induced jobs, and enabled Ugandan companies to secure approximately USD 2.3 billion in contracts. These outcomes show that when managed responsibly, petroleum resources can drive economic empowerment, build national capacity, and create opportunities that extend well beyond the life of the projects themselves. This conference provides an opportunity to examine how Ugandans can be part of sustainin and expanding these positive
The Annual Joint CSO Conference is a collaborative platform convened by the PAU, MEMD, industry players, and civil society organisations to promote dialogue, mutual understanding, transparency and stakeholder participation in Uganda’s oil and gas sector. The 2026 conference marks the fourth edition of the initiative, following successful conferences held between 2023 and 2025.
