The environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the Kabaale refinery in Uganda is due for completion in August 2021 by which time front-end engineering and design work will also be wrapped up, according to Michael Mugerwa, general manager of the state-owned Uganda Refinery Holding Company (URHC).

The final investment decision has been earmarked for the first quarter of 2022, with start-up scheduled for 2026, he said.

The refinery’s economics “are very attractive,” Mugerwa told the NBS TV station, and will compete with petroleum products currently trucked 1200 kilometres from the coast.