## 1 Introduction  
The Albert Rift represents the northernmost extension of the western branch of the East African Rift System (EARS) [1]. Extending approximately 570 km in length and 45 km in width, it spans from South Sudan in the north to Rwanda in the south, straddling the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Figures 1 and 2). This rift comprises half-grabens and grahens with varying symmetry and orientations, interspersed with accommodation zones and a prominently elevated basement hornst at its center. Relative to the eastern branch of the EARS, the Albert Rift has experienced comparatively less magmatism. This distinctive geological setting, coupled with the presence of the towering Mt. Rwenzori hornst within the rift valley, has drawn significant scientific interest aimed at elucidating continental rifting mechanics. Figure 1: Outline of the Albert Rift in the East African Rift System. EARS = East African Rift System; AT = Afar Triangle; BF = Bunia Fault; NTB = North Toro-Bunyoro Fault; TF = Tonya Fault; KF = Kichwamba Fault; LBF = Lubero Border Fault; RM = Rwenzori Mountains; VM = Virnugai Mountain; LV = Lake Victoria; LG = Lake George; LT = Lake Tanganyika; LM = Lake Malawi; DRC = Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Albert Rift harbors three major lakes--Albert, Edward, and George--which are part of the chain of rift valley lakes in the western branch ([PERSON], 1997; [PERSON], 1997; [PERSON], 1997; [PERSON], 1997). These lakes have accumulated organically rich sediments due to high biological productivity and bottom  
Figure 2: Geology map of Uganda showing the different types of localities where the Albert Rift sediments are well exposed (modified, after [PERSON] et al. (2018)). The thick black line AB represents the location of the cross-section used for modelling. water anoxia [4; 8; 9]. Fluctuations in paleolake levels, driven by the interplay of tectonics and climate, have created conditions conducive to petroleum accumulation, as evidenced by discoveries in western Uganda [9; 10; 11]. This fluvial-lacustrine filled rift has emerged as a critical area for the study of the geological evolution of a petroleum system in a young rift basin setting, offering a contemporary analogue for understanding the maturation processes of lacustrine organic-rich source rocks in ancient rift lake basins [12; 13]. Despite decades of intensive investigation into the Albert Rift and the broader EARS, a comprehensive understanding of its geological development and petroleum systems remains elusive [14; 15; 16; 17]. Various research findings have yielded divergent perspectives on the mechanisms and timing of the rifting events [18; 19; 20; 21], interactions between tectonics, and climate and sedimentation styles [9; 22], as well as paleogeography and stratigraphy, e.g., [2; 23; 24; 25]. Furthermore, while significant petroleum resources have been discovered through exploration efforts, uncertainties persist regarding the precise timing and nature of key elements within the petroleum system. Critical information regarding the nature of the source rocks essential for understanding hydrocarbon generation remains elusive. Current interpretations suggest potential sources within the Mid-Upper Miocene lacustrine intervals, particularly the Kasande Formation, yet analyses and correlations from drilled wells have not confirmed the effective source-rock facies associated with already-discovered oil and gas [17; 26]. Consequently, assessments of the petroleum potential of this region remain speculative pending the identification of effective source rocks and a refined understanding of the petroleum system. This study synthesizes both published and unpublished works in the literature, based on various sources, including Google Scholar, Science Hub, academic libraries, and government agencies. A detailed stratigraphic refinement of one of the least-studied regions, the Lake Edward and George area, was also conducted.