Ggoobi, Bateebe join Kenya Pipeline Board

KAMPALA. Uganda has strengthened its influence over East Africa’s petroleum transport network after the Secretary to the Treasury, Dr Ramathan Ggoobi, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng Irene Pauline Bateebe, were appointed non-executive directors of the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Plc.

The appointments, which took effect on July 28, come as Uganda seeks a greater role in shaping regional fuel transportation and energy infrastructure following its acquisition of a stake in the state-owned Kenyan pipeline operator.

KPC announced the appointments in a public notice as part of changes to its board of directors.

The company owns and operates Kenya’s petroleum pipeline system, which transports, stores and distributes refined petroleum products across the country and to neighbouring states, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Tanzania.

For Uganda, the appointments are strategically significant because the country depends heavily on Kenya’s fuel import and pipeline infrastructure to move petroleum products from the Port of Mombasa.

With representation on the KPC board, Kampala is expected to have a stronger voice in decisions affecting pipeline operations, fuel storage, infrastructure expansion and regional petroleum logistics.

The appointments also come at a time when Uganda is positioning itself for commercial oil production and investing in major petroleum infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing regional energy security.

Dr Ggoobi joins the KPC board with experience in macroeconomic policy, public finance and economic development gained through his role as Secretary to the Treasury.

Eng Bateebe, one of Uganda’s most experienced petroleum sector technocrats, brings more than two decades of experience in energy policy, oil and gas development and infrastructure planning.

She has played a leading role in the development of Uganda’s petroleum sector and has previously served on the boards of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company and as chairperson of the Uganda Refinery Holding Company.

In announcing the appointments, KPC said the new directors bring expertise in economics, energy, infrastructure, finance and corporate governance that will support the company’s long-term strategy, sustainability agenda and governance standards.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development welcomed the appointments, congratulating the two officials in a statement posted on its official social media platforms.

The appointments reinforce growing energy cooperation between Kampala and Nairobi as Uganda advances several strategic projects, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), the planned Uganda Refinery and expansion of strategic fuel storage facilities.

Government has said these investments are intended to improve national energy security, reduce fuel supply disruptions, strengthen regional trade and position Uganda as a key energy hub in East Africa.

Energy analysts say Uganda’s representation on the KPC board gives the country an opportunity to influence decisions affecting one of the region’s most important fuel supply corridors while safeguarding its interests as both a shareholder and one of the pipeline network’s largest customers.

Besides Dr Ggoobi and Eng Bateebe, the new KPC board members include former Kenya National Highways Authority Director General Eng Meshack Otieno Kidenda, National Treasury Technical Adviser Samson Kipkemboi Burgei and National Social Security Fund of Kenya Managing Trustee and Chief Executive Officer Ronald Kenyanya Nyamosi.

KPC operates more than 1,700 kilometres of petroleum pipelines across Kenya. Its infrastructure forms the backbone of fuel distribution in East Africa, handling petroleum products destined for Kenya and several neighbouring countries, including Uganda.