The Judiciary has commenced a specialised petroleum sector training programme aimed at enhancing judicial officers’ understanding of Uganda’s oil and gas industry and strengthening the handling of emerging legal matters in the sector.
The training, organised by the Judicial Training Institute, brings together judicial officers and key stakeholders from the Bank of Uganda, Uganda Revenue Authority, Petroleum Authority of Uganda, Uganda National Oil Company, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and other institutions involved in petroleum governance.
Opening the engagement, Chief Justice Hon. Justice Flavian Zeija said the programme will enable the Judiciary to appreciate the technical, economic, environmental and social realities surrounding the petroleum sector.
“One cannot effectively adjudicate matters that one does not sufficiently understand,” Justice Zeija said, emphasising the importance of continuous judicial education.
He noted that the Judiciary is strengthening its capacity to handle complex disputes involving petroleum, infrastructure, taxation, environmental protection and commercial agreements, including plans to establish a specialised High Court division for such matters.
Bank of Uganda Governor, Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego, highlighted the role of institutional trust in supporting petroleum development, noting that strong legal frameworks and predictable dispute resolution mechanisms are essential for investor confidence.
URA Commissioner General, Mr. John R. Musinguzi, said petroleum revenues will contribute to Uganda’s economic self-reliance, noting the country’s ambition to increase its tax-to-GDP ratio from 14.3% to 20% by 2030.
Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero Masanza urged stakeholders to view petroleum as a catalyst for industrialisation, innovation and value addition, while Justice Mike Chibita emphasised that specialised training strengthens judicial independence by equipping judges with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions.
The programme will conclude with a field visit to the Albertine Graben, where judicial officers will gain practical insights into Uganda’s petroleum operations, infrastructure and environmental management systems.
The training initiative underscores Uganda’s commitment to building robust institutional capacity to manage its emerging oil and gas sector effectively and ensure that legal frameworks keep pace with the industry’s development.
