The Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda and Rwanda Lord Dolar Popat led a delegation of business representatives from the Energy Industries Council (EIC) on an oil and gas mission to Uganda.

The mission was focused on seeking investment opportunities for UK companies in the oil and gas supply chain. During the 5-day mission that begun on 20 November, the delegates met with ministers, government officials, oil and gas companies and corporate entities that have interests in the industry.

At the start of the visit Lord Popat said:

"As the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Uganda I am delighted to be leading the EIC delegation to Uganda. Britains oil and gas industry has tremendous expertise and Uganda’s growing energy market - with the planned refinery, pipeline and field development project - is a perfect place to engage in opportunities."

UK-Uganda business breakfast

The delegation was hosted to a business breakfast by the Department for International Trade (DIT) Uganda and Stanbic Bank under the theme ‘Unlocking opportunities in the oil and gas supply chain in Uganda’.

At the breakfast DIT’s oil and gas expert Phil Haymes gave a presentation on supply chain development. He emphasised the need for Ugandan companies to form joint ventures with international companies experienced in the oil and gas industry for them to benefit from capital, skills and technology transfer so as to participate in the industry.

Trade delegation visits

The delegation also visited the Roofings Limited plant in Namanve, Mukono District. Roofings Limited is a Ugandan steel processing company that is looking to supply world-class steel products for the oil and gas industry.

The team later visited the Albertine oil region in Western Uganda where they toured the proposed oil refinery sites and the site of the proposed Kabaale International Airport. This will be Uganda’s second international airport and will handle both cargo and passenger transport.

The airport will be constructed by UK company Colas in partnership with SBI, a construction company and is funded by a £215 million loan to Uganda from UK Export Finance.

The delegation also met with President Yoweri Museveni where they held further discussions on investment opportunities in the oil and infrastructure sectors in Uganda.