Strengthening Uganda’s Oil and Gas Sector Methane Emission Abatement

Briefing
28 July 2026

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Key messages

Manage methane emissions from the start. Uganda is expected to commence oil production in 2027 at the earliest. Oil production, transport, and use of oil and gas generate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To remain competitive in a low-carbon global economy and avoid future emissions-related trade barriers, Uganda must proactively manage methane emissions from the outset of production.
Develop a detailed action roadmap. Uganda should develop and publish a comprehensive methane action roadmap by 2027, covering the entire duration of oil and gas extraction in the country (approximately 25 years). This roadmap should include quantified methane reduction targets, national monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework aligned with international standards, and clear institutional responsibilities. It should also provide for the establishment of a national oil and gas methane working group, mitigation measures (e.g., leak detection and repair (LDAR) systems, vapor recovery), and adoption of internationally recognized MRV systems such as those under the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0. Uganda should also enforce provisions in the National Climate Change Act 2021 on GHG emissions data collection and reporting. This should be complemented by mandatory independent verification of methane emissions data and clear data-sharing protocols across agencies.
Ensure key government agencies are aligned. The authorities should strengthen institutional coordination between key agencies, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the National Environment Management Authority and the Climate Change Department.
Implement reforms reflecting international best practice. Uganda should implement policy and regulatory reforms to strengthen its methane emission abatement ambitions, based on international best practices such as those specified in the International Energy Agency regulatory roadmap and toolkit and the OGMP 2.0. These reforms should include explicit methane emission limits, LDAR requirements, and strict controls on flaring and venting.
Incentivize compliance with methane targets. Uganda should introduce a balanced system of incentives and penalties for methane abatement and emissions, including fiscal incentives for methane abatement technologies, and penalties such as flaring fees or carbon pricing mechanisms for non-compliance.
Build capacity to collect data and monitor emissions. The government should enhance its agencies’ capacity to gather detailed emissions data. Specifically, it should invest in training technical staff to implement Tier 2 and Tier 3 methodologies for more accurate methane measurement and reporting, and set measurable targets, such as training at least 50 technical staff and deploying advanced MRV tools across major oil and gas facilities by 2028. It should also raise stakeholders’ awareness of methane emissions, and build their capacity for data collection and monitoring.
Join international initiatives to reduce methane emissions. Uganda should formally join the Global Methane Pledge and participate in other international initiatives for methane reduction. At the corporate level, the Uganda National Oil Company and international operators should also commit to frameworks such as the OGMP 2.0 and the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter.

Executive summary

Uganda is on the cusp of becoming an oil-producing country, with commercial production expected to commence in 2027 at the earliest. Oil production will take place through the Lake Albert Project, involving three companies: TotalEnergies operating the Tilenga Project, China National Offshore Oil Corporation operating the Kingfisher project, and the Uganda National Oil Company. While oil production presents significant economic opportunities, it also introduces new climate-related risks, particularly from methane emissions across the oil and gas value chain. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential significantly higher than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, making its abatement one of the most effective short-term climate mitigation strategies.

This briefing paper assesses Uganda’s preparedness to manage methane emissions from its emerging oil and gas sector, and identifies key policy, regulatory and institutional gaps that must be addressed to align with global climate commitments and maintain the competitiveness of Uganda’s hydrocarbons in a rapidly decarbonizing global energy market.

Although Uganda has made progress in establishing a legal and institutional framework for climate action, including the National Climate Change Act (2021) and updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the current framework does not explicitly address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, largely due to the sector’s pre-production status and lack of baseline emissions data. This creates a critical window of opportunity for Uganda to proactively design and implement a robust methane management framework before production begins.

NRGI’s analysis finds that while there are restrictions on flaring and venting under existing petroleum laws, these provisions are not supported by detailed methane-specific regulations, measurement standards or enforcement mechanisms. In addition, Uganda’s greenhouse gas inventory relies primarily on Tier 1 methodologies using default emission factors, which limits the accuracy and reliability of emissions data. Institutional capacity constraints, limited inter-agency coordination and insufficient transparency further undermine the country’s readiness to effectively monitor, report and verify methane emissions.

At the international level, momentum to reduce methane emissions is accelerating through initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge and the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0. Uganda has not yet joined these initiatives, potentially limiting access to technical support, climate finance and global best practices.

To address these gaps, this paper proposes the development of a comprehensive methane action roadmap covering the full lifecycle of Uganda’s oil and gas sector (approximately 25 years). The roadmap should include clear emissions reduction targets; robust monitoring, reporting and verification systems aligned with international standards, and defined roles for government agencies and industry actors.

Key recommendations include strengthening legal and regulatory provisions for methane management, integrating oil and gas emissions into future NDC updates, enhancing institutional and technical capacity for advanced emissions measurement (Tiers 2 and 3), and introducing a balanced system of incentives and penalties to drive methane abatement.

By taking early and decisive action, Uganda can position itself as a more responsible oil producer, minimize environmental risks, and ensure that its oil and gas sector is better able to contribute to sustainable development in the context of an international energy market increasingly conscious of global climate goals.