The Board of Directors of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has appointed Mr Fred Kabanda, the Executive Director of the Authority.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the chairperson board of directors Lynda Biribonwa, noted that Kabanda’s appointment follows a successful conclusion of the recruitment and on boarding process.
Ms Biribonwa noted that Mr. Kabanda brings extensive experience in Uganda’s petroleum sector, having served in both technical and leadership roles in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and the African Development Bank over the last thirty (30) years.
She revealed that Kabanda will assume office on 1st December 2026, and further noted that Mr. Otonga Michael Ochan will continue serving as Acting Executive Director until Kabanda assumes office.
“The Board expresses its appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the guidance throughout the appointment process and looks forward to working with Mr. Kabanda as he takes on his new leadership role at the Authority” she said.
Biribonwa noted that the authority remains focused on delivering its mandate in supporting the sustainable development of Uganda’s petroleum resources and contributing to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
Kabanda succeeds Ernest Rubondo, with whom they had competed for the same job ten years ago at the formation of the authority.
Kabanda is a seasoned petroleum sector professional with more than thirty (30) years of experience in petroleum regulation, policy development, institutional leadership, and extractives governance at national, regional, and continental levels.
He currently serves as Head of the Extractives Division at the African Development Bank (AfDB), where he provides strategic leadership and policy advisory support on oil, gas, and mining development across Africa.
