Fred Kabanda Appointed New Executive Director of Petroleum Authority of Uganda

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has announced the appointment of Fred Kabanda as its new Executive Director, a move that signals a new chapter for the oil and gas regulator. Kabanda, a seasoned petroleum sector expert, is set to assume leadership on December 1, 2026, following the completion of the recruitment and onboarding process.

He takes over from Ernest Rubondo, whose second and final term as Executive Director concluded on August 31. Rubondo had served as the founding head of the PAU for ten years, commencing in 2016. In the interim, Michael Ochan, the Authority’s Director of Finance and Corporate Services, is acting as the Executive Director, a position he assumed on September 1.

Kabanda brings a wealth of experience spanning over three decades in Uganda’s petroleum industry. His career includes significant technical and leadership roles within the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and at the African Development Bank (AfDB). Currently, he heads the Extractives Division at the AfDB, where he offers policy advice on oil, gas, and mining development across the continent.

Prior to his tenure at the AfDB, Kabanda held various positions at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, eventually rising to become Assistant Commissioner and Head of the Regulatory Unit in the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department. His expertise covers petroleum licensing, field development, regulatory oversight, contract negotiations, and sector governance. He played a crucial role in shaping Uganda’s petroleum policy and legal framework, including the National Oil and Gas Policy of 2008, and facilitated the transition of regulatory functions from the ministry to the PAU.

Academically, Kabanda holds a Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geology and Chemistry from Makerere University. The PAU Board of Directors expressed confidence that Kabanda’s extensive experience will be invaluable as Uganda progresses towards commercial oil production, underscoring the Authority’s continued focus on regulating and supporting the sustainable development of the nation’s petroleum resources.

Source: Nile Post