PAU conducts emergency response drill at Kabalega Industrial Park
“The training helps assess the ability of government agencies to respond effectively to emergencies in the sector,” Tumwesigye noted.
Hoima: The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) on Thursday conducted a multi-agency emergency response drill at Kabalega Industrial Park in Hoima, aiming to assess the preparedness and coordination of stakeholders in handling incidents related to oil and gas operations.
The simulation exercise involved a mock fire outbreak at a base camp, resulting in several injuries. The Uganda Police Force led firefighting operations, while the Ministry of Health coordinated medical response efforts on site.
Joel Tumwebaze, Manager of Health and Safety at PAU, said the exercise was designed to evaluate the emergency response capacity and inter-agency coordination among key government ministries and departments.
“The sector is progressing rapidly, and we must prepare for scenarios associated with oil and gas development,” Tumwebaze said. “Key lessons learned include the importance of response safety and building the capacity of emergency teams in this sector.”
Dr. Denis Bitamazire, a surgeon at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, emphasized that the drill enabled health experts to test their readiness in saving lives during oil-related emergencies.
Justus Tumwesigye, Managing Director of GLAUBEN Industrial Services Ltd, said his company, a health, safety, and environment consultancy in the oil and gas sector was nominated by PAU to facilitate the emergency drill.
“The training helps assess the ability of government agencies to respond effectively to emergencies in the sector,” Tumwesigye noted.
However, he cited challenges facing government agencies, such as frequent changes in trained personnel and a lack of harmonized safety standards between government institutions and oil companies.
Gen. Fred Rugadya Akiiki, Head of the National Emergency Coordination and Operations Center, applauded PAU for organizing the drill. He highlighted the importance of clearly defining roles among stakeholders to bridge information gaps.
“The government and the Office of the Prime Minister are prepared to respond to emergencies at all levels,” Gen. Akiiki stated.
The exercise comes as Uganda intensifies its oil and gas activities, making emergency preparedness a national priority.
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