ENTEBBE — The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has entered a leadership transition following the completion of Ernest Rubondo’s second term as Executive Director on August 31, 2026.
The PAU Board of Directors said the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development has approved the appointment of a new Executive Director, but the identity of the incoming head will be disclosed once the onboarding process is completed.
In the interim, the Minister appointed Michael Otonga Ochan, the Authority’s Director of Finance and Corporate Services, as Acting Executive Director effective September 1, 2026.
The appointment will remain in effect until the Executive Director-designate formally assumes office.
The transition comes as Uganda moves deeper into the development of its petroleum industry, including preparations for commercial oil production and the expansion of related infrastructure.
The Board, chaired by Lynda Biribonwa, commended Rubondo for his leadership during his tenure, crediting him with contributing to the institutional development of the PAU and the advancement of Uganda’s petroleum sector.
The Board said Rubondo’s tenure had helped strengthen the Authority as Uganda prepared for the transition from petroleum exploration to production.
Despite the change at the top, the PAU said there would be no changes to its operations or internal management arrangements during the transition.
“The Authority’s operations, management structures, and reporting lines remain unchanged,” the Board said, adding that it would continue exercising its full mandate to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and business continuity.
The Authority also reassured stakeholders, petroleum companies and the public that it remains committed to managing Uganda’s petroleum resources efficiently and effectively for sustainable national development.
The identity of the new Executive Director is expected to be communicated once the onboarding arrangements are finalised.
The leadership change comes at a consequential moment for Uganda’s oil industry. After years of exploration, regulatory preparation and infrastructure development, the petroleum sector is approaching the stage where the quality of institutions overseeing the country’s resources will matter as much as the oil itself.
The question, therefore, is no longer simply who will lead the PAU, but how the regulator will navigate Uganda’s transition into an oil-producing country while maintaining public accountability and protecting the national interest.