The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tanzania’s Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority (PURA) and the Zanzibar Petroleum Regulatory Authority (ZPRA), establishing a formal framework for collaboration and knowledge exchange in the East African oil and gas sector.
The agreement was signed during a high-level ceremony held in Entebbe, Uganda, bringing together top representatives from the three regulatory bodies. The MOU aims to enhance regional integration and cooperation in petroleum resource management, cost control, health, safety, and environmental standards, as well as national content development and capacity building.
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Benefits of regional partnerships
Speaking at the event, Ms. Lynda Biribonwa, Chairperson of the PAU Board of Directors, underscored the importance of regional partnerships, describing East Africa as one of the most promising frontier regions for oil and gas development.
“Collaboration among regulators is paramount to leverage existing expertise and resources,” she noted, citing the capital-intensive and technologically demanding nature of the industry.
Mr. Halfani R. Halfani, Chairperson of PURA’s Board, welcomed the formalization of what he described as a long-standing informal cooperation between Tanzania and Uganda. “This MOU will facilitate the sharing of best practices, enabling the region to attract and retain vital investment,” he said.
ZPRA’s Managing Director, Mr. Muhammed S. Said, emphasized the shared vision behind the agreement. “By pooling our resources and experiences, we can collectively advance the petroleum industry for the benefit of all our countries,” he stated.
PURA Director General, Mr. Charles J. Sangweni, revealed that discussions for the MOU had been ongoing for over a year. He expressed optimism that the agreement would deepen institutional ties and pave the way for broader regional collaboration. “We look forward to expanding this cooperation to include other East African countries, starting with Kenya,” he added.
The partnership is also expected to support technical teams across the three authorities through data sharing and joint capacity-building programs. In the spirit of unity, the tripartite initiative embraces the regional proverb, “Umoja ni nguvu” — unity is strength.
As part of the engagement, the visiting officials will tour Uganda’s oil and gas developments in the Albertine Graben to gain insights into the country’s preparations for First Oil.
“Together, let us chart a transformative path forward for the petroleum industry in East Africa,” Ms. Biribonwa concluded.
