KAMPALA — Uganda has appointed petroleum sector expert Fred Kabanda as the new executive director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, succeeding Ernest Rubondo as the country prepares for the next stage of its oil industry.
Kabanda is expected to take office on December 1, following the completion of the transition process at the petroleum regulator.
Until then, Otonga Michael Ochan, the authority’s director of finance and corporate services, will continue serving as acting executive director.
Rubondo’s second term ended on August 31 after a decade at the helm of the regulator. He was appointed the authority’s founding executive director in 2016.
His tenure coincided with major developments in Uganda’s petroleum industry, including the advancement of oil production projects and the establishment of regulatory systems for the emerging sector.
Kabanda brings about three decades of experience in Uganda’s petroleum industry. He has worked in technical and leadership roles at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and has also worked with the African Development Bank.
His appointment comes at an important stage for Uganda as the country moves towards commercial oil production and prepares to manage the economic opportunities and regulatory responsibilities associated with its petroleum resources.
The Petroleum Authority is responsible for regulating Uganda’s upstream, midstream and related petroleum activities.
Its responsibilities include ensuring compliance with petroleum laws, overseeing industry operations and safeguarding national interests in the development of the sector.
The regulator’s leadership will be closely watched as Uganda works to develop its oil resources while balancing investment, environmental concerns, local participation and national economic interests.
The transition follows Rubondo’s long tenure and provides an opportunity for the authority to build on the regulatory structures established during his leadership.
Kabanda’s experience in both government and development finance is expected to be valuable as Uganda navigates the investment and technical demands of the petroleum sector.
The leadership change also comes at a time when Uganda is seeking to ensure that petroleum revenues contribute meaningfully to national development.
The new administration of the authority will therefore face the challenge of maintaining regulatory stability while overseeing an industry that is expected to become increasingly important to Uganda’s economy.
