As Uganda edges closer to large-scale commercial oil production, the conversation is shifting from resource extraction to responsible development. At the heart of this transition is the Uganda National Oil Company Limited (UNOC), which is aggressively positioning itself as a champion of sustainability within the promising oil and gas sector.
This commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility was highlighted on Thursday by Tony Otoa, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at UNOC, during the launch of Uganda Breweries Limited’s (UBL) 2025 Sustainability Report in Kampala, which was officiated by Ms. Felicite Nson, the UBL Managing Director.
Otoa detailed UNOC’s multi-pronged strategy designed not only to comply with global standards but also to drive positive change across the country actively.
Responsible Development through Impact Assessment
According to Otoa, UNOC’s foundation for all oil and gas projects is built on rigorous oversight and accountability. Speaking during a panel, Otoa revealed that every major undertaking is preceded by thorough strategies, which include:
Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs)
He stated that these detailed studies are mandatory for all projects, ensuring potential environmental harm is identified and minimised from the earliest planning stages. These assessments, he observed, enable UNOC to make informed decisions and to establish the appropriate emergency response mechanisms.
Stakeholder Participation
The ESIA process actively involves local communities and affected parties, ensuring that concerns are addressed and that the benefits of the projects are equitably distributed and maximised for local populations.
Leading on Climate Action and Decarbonisation
Otoa observed that, having recognised the global urgency of climate change, UNOC has adopted strong, proactive policies to minimise its carbon footprint, which include:
Decarbonisation Efforts: UNOC is actively implementing strategies to reduce the overall carbon intensity of its operations in a bid to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Strict No Flaring Policy: Gas flaring, the practice of burning excess natural gas, is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Otoa noted that UNOC’s strict policy against flaring demonstrates a commitment to capturing and utilising natural gas, rather than wasting it and polluting the atmosphere.
Reducing Deforestation and Promoting Cleaner Energy
A cornerstone of UNOC’s sustainability agenda, according to Otoa, is directly addressing Uganda’s critical environmental challenge, which is the high rate of deforestation driven by reliance on biomass for cooking.
LPG Production to Substitute Biomass
Otoa revealed that to mitigate this, “UNOC is actively exploring the production and promotion of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner, more sustainable cooking fuel,” adding, “By making LPG widely accessible and affordable, the company aims to significantly reduce the massive consumption of firewood and charcoal, thereby curbing deforestation across the country.”
Cleaner Fuels for Transportation
Otoa also stated that the company has forward-looking plans to produce and supply cleaner transportation fuels that meet stringent international benchmarks, specifically Euro 5/Afri-6 standards. This commitment, he underscored, ensures that emissions from vehicles and refining activities are reduced, improving air quality and public health.
Beyond Oil: Reforestation and Social Impact
Otoa highlighted that UNOC’s responsibility extends far beyond its direct operational areas, reflecting a commitment to national restoration and community welfare in the following ways:
40 Million Tree Planting Agenda: This ambitious reforestation initiative is a major effort by UNOC to combat climate change, restore ecological balance, and enhance biodiversity across Uganda.
Countrywide CSR Projects: UNOC supports numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects, ensuring that the wealth generated by the sector translates into tangible, positive impacts for communities nationwide, spanning health, education, and social infrastructure.
In summary, as reiterated by Otoa to the panel, UNOC is integrating sustainability into the core of its business model.
By focusing on stringent impact assessments, aggressive decarbonisation, proactive environmental conservation (including LPG and tree planting), and broad social investment, UNOC is dedicated to ensuring that the development of Uganda’s oil and gas resources secures a prosperous and sustainable future for all Ugandans.