Society of Petroleum Engineers Awards PAU’s Ernest Rubondo in Tanzania

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. The event, hosted by SPE Africa and supported by SPE International, brought together industry leaders, experts, and young professionals from across the continent.

With over 35 years of experience in petroleum exploration, regulation, and development, Mr. Rubondo has been instrumental in shaping Uganda’s oil and gas industry. His leadership has driven significant progress in resource management, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks, helping position Uganda as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.

This latest award adds to Mr. Rubondo’s growing list of accolades. He was named African Public Sector Leader of the Year 2023 and received the Distinguished Individual Contribution to Africa’s Energy Industry Award at the 2025 Big Five Board Awards in London, UK.

In addition to Mr. Rubondo’s recognition, Uganda was well represented at the conference. Ms. Proscovia Nabbanja, Chief Executive Officer of the Uganda National Oil Company, received the SPE Africa Woman in Energy Trailblazer Award, and the SPE Uganda Section was honoured with the Regional Sustained Excellence in Growth and Retention Award. Uganda’s Daniel Favor Kuganja was also named among the inaugural recipients of the newly launched Dr. Victor Ekpenyong Africa Regional Student Scholarship.

The SPE Africa Technology Conference, held under the theme “Navigating the Future: Building Technological Excellence for Sustainable Energy in Africa,” underscored the continent’s immense potential to lead in sustainable energy solutions.

SPE Africa Regional Director and Conference Chair, Riverson Oppong, emphasised the importance of the event, stating:

“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 three-day 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’s strong presence and the multiple recognitions received by its professionals at the conference highlight the country’s growing prominence and leadership in both regional and global energy conversations.