Uganda has pushed back the licensing round for five new oil blocks in the Albertine Graben to September 30, 2020, following low interest from exploration companies.
Six companies had submitted expressions of interest proposals, but there were no detailed bids for the advertised oil blocks by the end of March 2020 as expected.
Once we get all the bids in by September 30, we hope to award the licences by end of this year but more likely in January next year,” said Robert Kasande, the permanent secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Mr Kasande told The EastAfrican that six local and international companies had expressed interest to vie for five oil blocks on offer, but could not give details citing confidentiality rules.
Last year, Uganda launched its second licensing round for five blocks in the oil rich Albertine Graben during the East African Petroleum Conference and Exhibition in Mombasa in May.
