KAMPALA — The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has appointed Fred Kabanda as its new Executive Director, taking over at a time when Uganda is preparing for commercial oil production.
Kabanda will assume office on December 1, 2026, following the successful completion of the recruitment and onboarding process, the PAU Board of Directors has announced.
He replaces the current Acting Executive Director, Otonga Michael Ochan, who will continue in the position until Kabanda assumes office.
Kabanda brings more than 30 years of experience in Uganda’s petroleum sector, having held technical and leadership positions at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
He currently serves as Head of the Extractives Division at the AfDB, where he provides strategic leadership and policy advisory support on oil, gas and mining development across Africa.
Kabanda is also recognised for his contribution to Uganda’s petroleum policy, legal and regulatory framework.
During his time at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, he participated in the development of key petroleum policies and laws, including the National Oil and Gas Policy of 2008.
He also supported the transition of regulatory functions from the ministry to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda as the country strengthened its institutional framework for managing the petroleum sector.
Before joining the AfDB, Kabanda served in several technical and leadership positions at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, rising to Assistant Commissioner and Head of the Regulatory Unit in the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department.
His experience includes petroleum licensing, field development, regulatory oversight, contract negotiations and extractives sector governance.
The PAU Board said Kabanda’s experience in petroleum regulation, policy development, institutional leadership and stakeholder engagement positions him to lead the Authority as Uganda advances towards commercial oil production.
The Board also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for its guidance throughout the appointment process and said it looked forward to working with Kabanda in his new role.
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.
He has also undertaken executive and professional training in leadership, petroleum management, governance and natural resource management at internationally recognised institutions.
The Authority said it 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.
Kabanda’s appointment comes as Uganda moves closer to first oil, placing PAU at the centre of regulatory oversight as investments in the sector progress towards commercial production and the long-term development of the country’s petroleum resources.
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