Opolot (centre) with some of the newly appointed Petroleum Authority of Uganda board members after swearing-in ceremony recently
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I As Uganda looks forward to producing its first oil by 2025, the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) welcomed its new board of directors in a ceremony that underscored the nation’s high expectations for the oil sector.
The event, held at Amber House in Kampala last Friday, saw the Minister of State for Energy, Okaasai Opolot, charging the newly sworn-in members with the critical task of ensuring Uganda meets its target date for oil production.
The seven-member board, which includes Lynda Biribonwa, Bernard Ongodia, Ernest Rubondo, Adrian Bukenya, Oduka Ochan Achan, Prof. Vincent Bagiire, Solome Galiwango and Innocent Kihika, were vetted and approved by Parliament.
They have been tasked with overseeing the strategic direction and governance of Uganda’s burgeoning oil sector, ensuring that the country’s oil production begins as planned.
The board’s composition reflects a blend of expertise, with members drawn from various sectors critical to the oil industry, including finance, law, engineering, and environmental management.
Okaasai Opolot, the state minister for energy, who presided over the swearing in ceremony, emphasized the importance of the board’s role in navigating the complex landscape of the oil industry.
“I urge you to base your work on transparency, accountability, and environmental stewardship as Uganda seeks to harness its oil resources. The oil sector, which you are to preside over, is expected to transform Uganda’s economy, providing jobs, boosting infrastructure development, and significantly increasing the country’s revenue.
With significant oil reserves discovered in the Albertine Graben, Uganda is poised to become a significant player in the global oil market. The PAU’s efforts have been focused on ensuring that all necessary infrastructure, including drilling sites, pipelines, and refineries, are in place to facilitate the commencement of oil production.
The new board of directors is expected to build on the foundation laid by their predecessors, steering the PAU through the final stages of preparation for oil production.
Their leadership will be crucial in addressing the challenges that lie ahead, including navigating the environmental concerns associated with oil drilling, managing international partnerships and investments, and ensuring that the benefits of oil production are equitably distributed among the Ugandan people.
