The Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) has reelected Hon Dr Elly Karuhanga for a new 2-year term as Chairman, following a June 30, 2017 annual general meeting (AGM).
But the appointment of Uganda’s emerging force in business – Oliver Lalani from Roofings Group on the state body’s nine-man council Advisory Committee has stood out.
Youthful Lalani is the executive director of the family business since 2009 the largest manufacturer of steel construction materials in Uganda, with installed production capacity of 72,000 metric tonnes annually. Just their youngest Roofings Rolling Mill (RRM) plant in Namanve is worth about Shs312 billion ($124 million), directly employs 2,250 people and indirectly employs many more. Other Roofings companies include; Roofing’s Limited and Roofings Polypipes both situated about 6km outside Kampala city centre in Lubowa, along Entebbe road.
Now Mr. Lalani’s business acumen is projected to wholesomely rally round Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum. He will work alongside Tony Otoa from TOTAL E&P (Oil & Gas), Patricia Ojangole from the Uganda Development Bank (Finance), Allan Mugisha from Ernst & Young (Tax & Investment), Pamela Natamba from PWC (Local Content), Miriam Magala from the Uganda Insurers Association (Insurance), Gerald Mukyenga from Multilines International (Health, Safety & Environment) and Carol Athiyo from AON Risk Solutions (Public Relations).
Others are Joshua Ogwal from Ligomarc Advocates (Legal & Advisory), Natasha Venus from Sipa Exploration (Human Resources), Dilip Bhandari from SpedagInterfreight (Logistics), Peter Bitarakwate from ZAKHEM (Special Advisor to the Chairman), Dr. Josephine Wapakabulo from the Uganda National Oil Company (Special Advisor) and Aggrey Ashaba from GCC Services (International Relations).
The council’s Advisory Committee joins Stanbic Bank, Managing Director, Mr Patrick Mweheire, the new Deputy Chairman of the board, taking over from Hon Richard Kaijuka, while Mr Sam Thakkar from UHY Thakkar & Associates, replaces Mr Paul Sherwen as the General Secretary.
Mr. Jeff Baitwa, from Threeways Shipping continues serving in his treasurer role.
Total E&P Country Manager, Mr. Adewale Fayemi and CNOOC’s Mr. Xiao Zong Wei have been joined by Hima Cement’s Mr. Daniel Pettersson, Mr Nicholas Ecimu from Sebalu & Lule Advocates and Mr. Abdul Kibuuka from Tullow Uganda, to complete the nine-man council membership.
Mr Kaijuka will now head the Board of Trustees where he will be deputized by Tullow PLC Country Manager, Mr. Jimmy Mugerwa. Others on the BOT include Ms Kellen Kayonga of Askar Security (Treasurer), Mr Sherwen (General Secretary) and Mr. Gordon Sentiba, Astor Finance Plc as a member – all UCMP council members, until recently.
The Board of Trustees (BOT) was one of the new additions in the amended UCMP constitution, last year, and will be charged with providing overall governance to the Chamber besides acting as the custodian of the Chamber’s assets and resources.
Dr Karuhanga hailed the new developments as heralding a new chapter in the UCMP’s journey.
“The Chamber has continued to evolve to respond to the changing landscape in the petroleum and mining sectors in Uganda. With a good blend of youth and senior citizens, we are positive that the new leadership is well structured to revitalize our focus and direction as the country eyes First Oil in 2020,” he said.
“At the top of our agenda, will be advocating for the creation of a ‘Dream Team’ compromised of government officials and us in the private sector that will make sure our local content aspirations are met through skilling as many Ugandans as possible in all relevant and practical areas while ensuring all timelines are adhered to, to beat the 2020 target. The ‘Hakuna Mchezo’ mantra should be the guide,” Dr Karuhanga added.
Furthermore, he said, the UCMP will appeal for more transparency in the mining industry and continue advocating for value addition using the latest technologies.
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