Petroleum Authority names new board

Directors in a board room
The board of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda at Amber House on Monday, 11 May. Photo: Courtesy

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda announced the appointment of four new board members Friday.

The principal of the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba, Bernard Ongodia; a Makerere university geology lecturer, Kevin Aanyu (PhD); Noble Banadda (PhD), a chemical engineer; and Lynda Biribonwa, a safety and quality management professional joined the board Monday.

The oil and gas sector regulator now has seven people on its board.

Jane Nambakire Mulemwa, who was appointed to the authority’s first board, was retained as its chair. Other retained members include Doreen Kabasindi Wandera and Kiryowa Kiwanuka. Ms Nambakire has a doctorate in physical organic chemistry, Ms Kabasindi is an environmental protection specialist, while Mr Kiwanuka is a lawyer.

The new board was inaugurated by Mary Goretti Kitutu, the minister of energy and mineral development at Amber House on Monday.

“We commit to work with integrity and build on the achievements of the pioneer board, steer the authority through the Covid-19 pandemic, and ensure that Uganda’s petroleum resources contribute to the eradication of poverty,” Ms Nambakire, the board chair, said in a statement.

The new board will oversee the authority for four years. The Petroleum Act of 2013 stipulates that the authority should have a board of seven people, with at least three being female. The board is appointed by the president and approved by parliament.