Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU)

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) is the government agency responsible for regulating and monitoring Uganda’s petroleum sector. Established under the Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act of 2013, PAU operates as an autonomous body to ensure transparency, sustainability, and national benefit from oil and gas resources.

🛠️ Core Mandate and Responsibilities

PAU oversees both upstream and midstream petroleum activities, including:

• Licensing and Regulation: Issuing and managing licenses for exploration, development, refining, and transportation of petroleum.

• Monitoring Operations: Ensuring compliance with national laws and international best practices in petroleum activities.

• Resource Management: Estimating reserves and measuring produced oil and gas.

• Contract Administration: Managing petroleum agreements and ensuring adherence to contractual obligations.

• Environmental Oversight: Monitoring environmental protection measures and assessing impacts on communities.

• Local Content Promotion: Encouraging participation of Ugandan companies and individuals in the petroleum sector.

🏢 Governance and Leadership

PAU is headquartered at 34–36 Lugard Avenue in Entebbe, Uganda. As of July 2024, the authority is chaired by Lynda Biribonwa, with Ernest Rubondo serving as the Executive Director. The board comprises professionals from various fields, including law, finance, energy, and academia, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to governance.

📈 Strategic Focus and Development Goals

PAU’s five-year strategic plan (2020/2021–2024/2025) is themed “Delivering While Growing,” aiming to:

• Institutional Strengthening: Building robust internal systems and capacities.

• Efficient Resource Management: Ensuring optimal utilization of oil and gas resources.

• Commercialization Facilitation: Supporting the development of infrastructure and markets for petroleum products.

• Sustainability Enhancement: Promoting environmental stewardship and social responsibility in petroleum activities.

🤝 Local Content and SME Participation

PAU actively promotes the involvement of Ugandan Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the oil and gas sector. Key initiatives include:

• National Supplier Database (NSD): A registry of qualified Ugandan companies eligible for contracts in the petroleum sector.

• Capacity Building: Training programs and workshops to enhance the skills and competencies of local businesses.

• Joint Ventures Encouragement: Facilitating partnerships between local SMEs and international companies to transfer knowledge and technology.

• Financial Access Support: Collaborating with financial institutions to provide affordable financing options for SMEs engaged in the sector.

🌍 Regional and International Engagement

PAU is a member of the Energy Regulators Association of East Africa (EREA), collaborating with counterparts from neighboring countries to harmonize regulatory frameworks and share best practices.

🔗 Additional Resources

• Official Website: www.pau.go.ug

• LinkedIn: Petroleum Authority of Uganda

• Facebook: Petroleum Authority of Uganda