Africa-Press – Uganda. Petroleum Authority Executive Director Ernest Rubondo has called on Uganda’s business community to seize emerging opportunities in the oil and gas sector now, warning that waiting for first oil could mean missing out on early gains across the industry’s rapidly expanding value chain.
Speaking during his first visit to the Rotary Club of Kigo Seven Lakes Golf, Rubondo, who serves as Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, said the sector is transitioning from exploration to execution, with major infrastructure projects already underway.
He noted that Uganda has discovered more than 6.5 billion barrels of oil, positioning the country as one of Africa’s emerging energy frontiers. Ongoing developments include pipeline networks, central processing facilities, and plans for a refinery, all of which are expected to drive the country toward commercial production.
“This is a defining moment,” Rubondo said, pointing to visible progress across multiple components of the oil and gas ecosystem.
He challenged members of the business community, particularly Rotarians, to abandon a wait-and-see approach and instead position themselves early within the sector’s value chain.
“Do not wait for the first oil. The opportunities are already here,” he said.
According to Rubondo, the industry is already generating demand across a wide range of sectors, including engineering, transport, construction, catering, agriculture, and financial services.
He called for deliberate efforts to build capacity, form strategic partnerships, and align businesses with industry requirements, warning that competition will intensify as Uganda moves closer to production.
Rubondo also emphasized the importance of local participation, noting that the country’s oil resources should translate into tangible economic benefits for Ugandans through job creation, enterprise development, and increased domestic investment.
His remarks underscored a broader shift in Uganda’s oil narrative—from preparation to active participation—as the country accelerates toward its long-anticipated entry into oil production.
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