The Mandate of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD) is:

To promote the development, strategically manage and safeguard the rational and sustainable exploitation and utilization of energy and mineral resources for social and economic development.

The Role of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Department (PEPD) is:

To establish the petroleum potential of the country and promote it.

This is guided by:

1. The Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act, 2013
2. The Petroleum (Refining, Conversion, Transmission and Midstream Storage) Act, 2013
3. Other relevant statutes and guidelines such as Environment, Wildlife, Water, Income Tax, land, among others
4. Petroleum (Exploration and production) (Conduct of Exploration Operations) Regulations, 1993.New Petroleum Regulations expected in 2014 to address Exploration, Development, Production, Refining, Transportation, Health Safety and Environment (HSE), National Content (NC), among others
5. Production Sharing Agreements (PSA’s).
6. Formulation of a Bill for the management of petroleum revenue (The Public Finance Bill) and the Bill was passed by Parliament and awaits presidential assent.

Main Functions of PEPD

1. Acquire process and interpret geophysical, geological and geochemical data with a view of assessing the country's petroleum potential  
2. Promotion of petroleum exploration in the country
3. Monitor and regulate licensees undertaking petroleum exploration and production in the country
4. Initiate Policy and Legislation on petroleum exploration and development
5. Build national capacity in the field of petroleum exploration and development
6. Lead the implementation of the National Oil and Gas Policy for Uganda, 2008.