Regulatory guidelines anchor investor confidence in oil, gas sector
PAU corporate affairs manager Gloria Ssebikari said strong regulation was a deliberate policy choice informed by lessons from both successful and struggling oil-producing countries.
The guidelines give investors certainty while ensuring Uganda’s national interests are protected and the industry remains sustainable beyond first oil. (File photo)
________________
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) says the development of over 48 regulatory manuals and guidelines in the past decade has been central to anchoring investor confidence and strengthening operational compliance in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
As the authority marks 10 years since its establishment in 2015, PAU says the regulatory framework is the backbone of the sector’s steady growth, project execution and local participation.
Mandated to regulate the exploration, production and utilisation of Uganda’s petroleum resources, PAU has focused on putting in place clear, predictable and enforceable rules to guide operators and service providers across the value chain.
The guidelines cover licensing, health and safety, environmental management, local content, reporting standards and operational procedures.
Speaking during a televised breakfast show in Kampala city on February 4, 2026, PAU corporate affairs manager Gloria Ssebikari said strong regulation was a deliberate policy choice informed by lessons from both successful and struggling oil-producing countries.
“From a governance perspective, we prioritised building strong systems and institutions early,” Ssebikari said.
“These guidelines give investors certainty while ensuring Uganda’s national interests are protected and the industry remains sustainable beyond first oil.”
She noted that the regulatory clarity has supported progress on key projects such as Tilenga and Kingfisher, which are now nearing completion under PAU’s oversight.
Beyond project supervision, PAU has consistently published annual petroleum resource reports over the past nine years, tracking changes in reserves and production forecasts to promote transparency and informed decision-making.
Over the last decade, the authority has implemented three strategic plans aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plans II, III and IV, ensuring that petroleum regulation supports broader economic objectives.
PAU says the predictable regulatory environment has enabled greater participation by Ugandan companies, contributing to the creation of more than 20,000 jobs and boosting household incomes in oil-producing regions.
The authority added that the separation of roles between policy formulation, regulation and commercial operations through institutions such as PAU and the Uganda National Oil Company has been key to avoiding governance gaps seen in some oil-producing countries.