Fred Kabanda finally confirmed new Petroleum Authority Executive Director

What the report says

The Petroleum Authority of Uganda has named veteran petroleum sector specialist Fred Kabanda as its new Executive Director, according to The Independent Uganda. The appointment was announced by the PAU Board of Directors and comes as Uganda approaches commercial oil production. Kabanda is set to take office on December 1, 2026, after recruitment and onboarding are completed.

Kabanda succeeds Ernest Rubondo, who finished his second term on August 31, 2026. The report says Otonga Michael Ochan, who has been acting in the role, will remain in place until Kabanda assumes duty. The appointment is significant because the PAU is moving from overseeing exploration and development toward regulating production, transport and commercialisation of crude oil.

The Independent Uganda reported that Kabanda is returning from the African Development Bank, where he heads the Extractives Division and advises on oil, gas and mining issues across Africa. He has more than three decades of experience in petroleum regulation, policy and extractives governance, including senior roles at Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The PAU said he helped shape the country’s petroleum policy and legal framework.

His arrival comes as major oil projects, including Tilenga, Kingfisher and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, advance toward first oil and export. The PAU Board said it expects Kabanda’s leadership to support Uganda’s broader petroleum and economic development goals.