By Mulengera Reporters
The Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Mr. Ali Ssekatawa, has said Uganda has entered 2026 with renewed political stability, growing regional responsibilities in continental sports, and significant progress toward commercial oil production.
According to Ssekatawa, the conclusion of the January 15 Presidential elections has provided clarity and continuity at a time when the country is preparing for major economic and infrastructure milestones linked to the oil and gas sector.
“The elections delivered a firm verdict of continuity, which is important for stability as Uganda moves into the next phase of its development agenda,” Ssekatawa said.
He noted that Uganda’s regional profile has also been reinforced following the successful hosting of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco and the transition of hosting duties to East Africa ahead of the 2027 tournament.
“With the conclusion of AFCON in Morocco, the focus has shifted to East Africa. The handover confirms that preparations under the Pamoja Bid remain on course and aligned with CAF requirements,” he said.
He added that Uganda’s oil sector continues to feature prominently in national discussions, particularly following debates raised during the election campaigns.
“During the campaigns, all presidential candidates articulated how oil revenues could be used to accelerate national development,” he said.
He explained that while different political actors advanced varying proposals, the central issue remains the sustainable management of oil revenues.
“The government’s approach is anchored in long-term planning under the Ten-Fold Growth Strategy, which positions oil as a catalyst for economic transformation,” Mr. Ssekatawa said.
He also acknowledged proposals by opposition figures, including calls to review Production Sharing Agreements and increase royalty allocations to oil-producing districts, but cautioned against approaches that prioritize short-term redistribution.
“The broader development question is sustainability. Uganda’s petroleum governance framework was designed to address such concerns,” Ssekatawa added.
He also pointed to the Petroleum Laws enacted in 2013, which established the Petroleum Fund, requiring all oil revenues to be deposited and managed by the Bank of Uganda, saying the framework ensures that revenues from a finite resource are invested in long-term, productive assets rather than short-term consumption.
Ssekatawa cited the Hoima Stadium, fully financed through the Petroleum Fund, as an example of disciplined resource utilization already yielding tangible results.
“The stadium demonstrates what structured and well-managed oil revenues can deliver in terms of lasting national infrastructure,” he noted.
On project readiness, he said preparations for First Oil are advancing, highlighted by a recent tour of key oil and gas facilities by the Minister of Energy, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa.
“The tour, which covered Tanzania’s Tanga Port, where the East African Crude Oil Pipeline will terminate, as well as the oil fields in Buliisa and Kikuube, formed part of pre-commissioning activities ahead of First Oil,” he said, adding that Uganda’s Production Sharing Agreements and the Public Finance Management Act provide a clear pathway for managing oil revenues in a manner that supports national development and long-term economic stability. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
