Uganda’s parliament passes Upstream Bill

Uganda’s parliament passed the long-awaited Upstream Bill on 7 December, paving the way for a resumption of licensing in open and relinquished areas. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development tabled two bills before parliament in February 2012, and the oil law has been the subject of vigorous debate since then. The Petroleum Exploration, Development and Production Bill 2012, known as the Upstream Bill, eventually passed by 149 votes to 39, and will be signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni.