Fred Kabanda appointed Executive Director of Petroleum Authority of Uganda

KAMPALA, September 10, 2026 – Fred Kabanda, a former official at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the African Development Bank [AfDB], has been appointed Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU].

Kabanda replaces Ernest Rubondo, who recently retired from the juicy position.

Kabanda’s appointment was announced on Thursday by Lynda Biribonwa, Chairperson of the PAU Board of Directors.

In a statement, Biribonwa said Kabanda would assume office on December 1, 2026, following the completion of the recruitment and onboarding process.

“The Board of Directors of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU] is pleased to inform stakeholders and the public that Mr Fred Kabanda has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda and will assume office on 1st December 2026 following the successful conclusion of the recruitment and onboarding process,” Biribonwa said.

She said Kabanda brings extensive experience in Uganda’s petroleum sector, having served in technical and leadership positions at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the AfDB over the past 30 years.

Meanwhile, Michael Otonga Ochan will continue serving as Acting Executive Director until Kabanda assumes office, Biribonwa said.

“The Board expresses its appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the guidance throughout the appointment process and looks forward to working with Mr Kabanda as he takes on his new leadership role at the Authority,” she said.

Biribonwa said the PAU remains focused on delivering its mandate of supporting the sustainable development of Uganda’s petroleum resources and contributing to the country’s socio-economic transformation.

The PAU is a statutory body established under Section 9 of the Petroleum [Exploration, Development and Production] Act, Cap. 161 of 2013, in line with Uganda’s National Oil and Gas Policy, which was approved in 2008.

The Authority is mandated to monitor and regulate the exploration, development and production of petroleum, as well as refining, gas conversion, transportation and storage.

It also ensures that petroleum operations in Uganda comply with relevant laws, regulations and guidelines, and conform to international best practices in the petroleum industry.

Kabanda takes over at a time when the Authority is implementing its five-year Strategic Plan for 2025/26 to 2029/30.

The plan is aligned with the Sustainable Extractives Industry Development Programme under Uganda’s Fourth National Development Plan [NDP IV].

Its goal is to “enhance and optimise the value of the country’s petroleum resources for socio-economic transformation”.

https://thecooperator.news/ugandas-recoverable-oil-reserves-rise-to-1-65bln-barrels/

Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news