Mariam Nampeera Takes Over At Tullow as Jimmy Mugerwa is Promoted at London Office

Jimmy D. Mugerwa, currently Managing Director of Tullow Uganda has been promoted to become the Tullow Group’s Corporate Head of Infrastructure and Organization, the oil firm has announced.

“Mariam Nampeera Mbowa, Tullow’s Associate General Counsel in Uganda, has been promoted to be Country Manager, Tullow Uganda. These changes will take effect from 1 January 2020,” said Tullow.

Mugerwa, who is a board chairman or member of top private institutions in uganda including Dfcu and Uganda Breweries, will be based in London and will report to Tullow’s Chief Financial Officer, Les Wood.

“In this newly created role, Jimmy will have responsibility for all aspects of Tullow’s Infrastructure, External Affairs and people management across the Group,” said Tullow, adding, “In addition, Jimmy will provide advice to Tullow’s Executive Team and the Uganda business through his appointment as Chairman of Tullow Uganda.”

The statement provides more clarity on Mugerwa’s future roles at Tullow.

Sections of the media had speculated that Mugerwa being unceremoniously removed from office.

Tullow said since 2012, Mugerwa has “successfully managed our Uganda business at a crucial period for Tullow in Uganda and has been at the forefront of key negotiations with the Ugandan government and other external stakeholders.”

The oil firm added: “Internally, he has led the business through several significant changes which included transforming the Operating Model, developing talent and evolving the company’s culture.”

Previously, Mugerwa worked at Royal Dutch Shell, where he had served for 19 years across Africa and the Netherlands, in several Senior positions.

Nampeera

Mariam Nampeera Mbowa will lead the Tullow business in Uganda and report to Mark MacFarlane, Executive Vice President, East Africa and Non-Operated.

Nampeera joined Tullow in 2011 and has been responsible for all of Tullow Uganda’s business, regulatory, compliance and legal advice in Uganda on a range of complex issues arising from the Group’s Operations and Joint Venture activities.

Before joining Tullow, Mariam enjoyed a 13-year career with Royal Dutch Shell, where she served in Uganda, Europe and Asia.

Tullow entered into three Ugandan exploration licences in 2004 following the acquisition of Energy Africa.

The Group added further equity and operatorship to the licences in the Lake Albert Rift Basin when it acquired Hardman Resources in 2007.

A series of transactions took place in 2010-2012 whereby Tullow acquired 100% of the three licences before farming down a third of the equity to both CNOOC and Total.

The transaction was for a total consideration of $2.9bn and unitised the basin equally between all three parties ahead the basin development.

In January 2017, Tullow announced that it had agreed a substantial farm-down of its assets in Uganda to Total. Under the Sale and Purchase Agreement, Tullow agreed to transfer 21.57% of its 33.33% interest in Exploration Areas 1, 1A, 2 and 3A in Uganda to Total for a total consideration of $900 million.

CNOOC Uganda Limited (CNOOC) subsequently exercised its pre-emption rights under the joint operating agreements to acquire 50% of the interests being transferred to Total on the same terms and conditions. 

In August 2019, Tullow announced that this farm-down was terminated, following the expiry of the Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPAs).

The termination of the transaction was a result of being unable to agree all aspects of the tax treatment of the transaction with the Government of Uganda.

Tullow has now initiated a new sales process to reduce its 33.33% Operated stake in the Lake Albert project