The signing ceremony
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has formalised a partnership with the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA) and the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) of Tanzania,
The tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is set to foster knowledge exchange within the East African oil and gas sector, was penned ion Monday.
The MOU outlines cooperation in critical areas such as petroleum resource management, cost monitoring and management, health, safety, and environment, national content development, and capacity building and knowledge exchange.
Lynda Biribonwa, the Chairperson of the PAU Board of Directors, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation.
“The East African region is one of the most prolific frontier areas for Oil and Gas exploration and development,” she said, adding that collaboration among regulators is “paramount to leverage on the existing expertise and resources.”
Biribonwa said that given the sector’s specialised, technologically driven, and capital-intensive nature, it needs labour exchange, as well as technology exchange.
She expressed her pleasure in signing the MOU, stating, adding that the agreement will help the sister countries cooperate for the mutual benefit sister institutions.
Halfani Halfani, Board Chair for the Tanzania PURA, reflected on the long-standing informal relationship between Uganda and Tanzania in oil and gas, emphasising the need to formalise it so that it becomes sustainable.
The regional petroleum regulators display the signed agreement
“This MoU will facilitate sharing best practices, so that the region can maintain the capability to bring in investment in the region,” he said.
Muhammed Said, the Managing Director of ZPRA, underlined the collective benefit of the partnership.
“By putting all of our resources together, we can all learn from each other and see how we take the industry forward for the benefit of all,” he said.
Charles J. Sangweni, the PURA Director General of, explained that discussions for this tripartite MOU began about a year ago.
“This will strengthen our bonds and highlight pertinent issues regarding exchanging of data and exchanging experience through capacity building of our technical team.
He further expressed optimism for broader regional cooperation, including potential future agreements with other East African nations, starting with Kenya.
The collaboration cemented by this MOU is expected to foster shared growth and expertise, aligning with the regional proverb,– unity is strength.
The visiting delegation will also tour Uganda’s oil and gas operational areas in the Albertine Graben, gaining insight into the progress as Uganda prepares for First Oil.
Biribonwa called on the leaders to chart a transformative path forward for the petroleum industry in East Africa.”
