PAU POWER VACUUM CRISIS DEEPENS! Energy Minister Musenero Says New Boss Has Been Chosen to Replace Rubondo But Won’t Name Him Or Her, Installs Ochan as Interim as Successor Row Turns Ugly

KAMPALA — The leadership drama at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) has taken another twist after Energy Minister Dr Monica Musenero said a substantive successor to outgoing Executive Director Ernest Rubondo has already been selected — but stopped short of revealing the name.

Instead, Musenero has appointed Otonga Michael Ochan, the Authority’s Director of Finance and Corporate Services, as Acting Executive Director, leaving the oil regulator in the unusual position of having an allegedly identified successor whose identity remains under wraps.

The big question now doing the rounds in petroleum and energy circles is simple: If the new boss has already been picked, why can’t Government name him or her?

The silence has fuelled fresh speculation that the battle over who should take over from Rubondo may not yet be completely over.