Uganda’s Ernest Rubondo wins prestigious SPE Africa Regional Director Special award

Source: PML Daily

The Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Mr. Ernest Rubondo, has been awarded the prestigious SPE Africa Regional Director Special Award for his exceptional contributions to the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the advancement of the oil and gas sector in Africa. The accolade was presented during the SPE Africa Technology Conference, held from May 27th to 29th, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mr. Rubondo expressed gratitude for the recognition, highlighting his team’s efforts in shaping Uganda’s oil and gas industry. With over 35 years of experience in petroleum exploration, regulation, and development, Mr. Rubondo has driven significant progress in resource management, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks, positioning Uganda as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.

According to SPE Africa Regional Director and Conference Chair, Riverson Oppong, “As the energy landscape continues to evolve, Africa has a unique opportunity to lead the way in driving sustainable energy solutions. The Africa Technology Conference is a platform for meaningful conversations and partnerships that will help unlock the potential of the continent’s energy resources while ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The conference featured a comprehensive program, including high-level panel discussions on key topics such as the global energy transition, local content development, diversity and inclusion, and the application of data science and artificial intelligence in the energy sector. Technical sessions spanned a wide range of disciplines, including drilling and completions, health, safety and environment (HSE), reservoir and production engineering, petroleum economics, and renewable energy technologies.

Uganda was well-represented at the conference, with notable recognitions including the SPE Africa Woman in Energy Trailblazer Award for Ms. Proscovia Nabbanja, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Oil Company, and the Regional Sustained Excellence in Growth and Retention Award for the SPE Uganda Section. Daniel Favor Kuganja, a Ugandan student, was also named among the inaugural recipients of the Dr. Victor Ekpenyong Africa Regional Student Scholarship.

Mr. Rubondo’s achievement adds to his growing list of accolades, including being named African Public Sector Leader of the Year 2023 and receiving the Distinguished Individual Contribution to Africa’s Energy Industry Award at the 2025 Big Five Board Awards in London, UK. His leadership has been instrumental in Uganda’s oil and gas sector, with the country expected to invest around $15 billion in the next 3 to 4 years in its oil projects.