Kampala – The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) announced on Wednesday that Michael Ochan will serve as Acting Executive Director following the resignation of long‑time director Ernest Rubondo, who stepped down after a 12‑year tenure.
Rubondo, a former geophysicist with a distinguished career in the oil sector, cited personal reasons for his departure and expressed confidence in the agency’s future. “It has been an honour to steer Uganda’s petroleum regulatory framework during a transformative era,” Rubondo said in a farewell statement. “I am proud of the progress we have made in attracting investment and ensuring environmental stewardship.”
Ochan, previously the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, has been with PAU since its inception in 2015. In his new role, he will oversee the authority’s ongoing licensing rounds, the development of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) compliance program, and the rollout of new local content policies aimed at boosting Ugandan participation in the sector.
Industry observers note that Ochan’s technical background and experience negotiating with multinational oil firms could bring a steadier hand during a period of heightened scrutiny over the EACOP project’s environmental impact. “Continuity is crucial,” said Sarah Kintu, an energy policy analyst at the Uganda Institute of Development Studies. “Ochan’s appointment signals that PAU intends to maintain its current strategic direction while addressing stakeholder concerns.”
The PAU board will convene in October to confirm a permanent appointment. In the interim, Ochan will lead a task force to review the authority’s compliance framework and to engage with civil society groups demanding greater transparency.
Rubondo’s exit also opens the door for potential reforms within PAU, including a proposed amendment to the Petroleum Act that would increase public reporting on revenue allocation.