Despite Nalule’s youthful age, her publications in the extractive industry have thrust her into the limelight as a force to reckon with. She has advised several countries in sub-Saharan Africa on how to update their mining laws. She currently has seven books published on energy and mining.
As Samuel Muhindo writes, there’s nothing that can stop Nalule’s star from shining more. From a distance, Nalule exudes the aura of a normal Ugandan youth still pounding the pavement for jobs. This impression was dismissed progressively as we spoke over dinner.
Like other academics, Nalule is very inquisitive about culture, the state of the economy, and the future of Uganda’s oil and gas sector in the wake of calls for an energy transition. Although she spends less time in Uganda, she is warm and in sync with events in the country.
MENTORSHIP
Shortly after her graduation from the Law Development Centre in Kampala, Nalule applied to the University of Birmingham in the UK for a master’s degree in International Criminal Law.
She said: “I was somehow frustrated. I had tried to apply for scholarships without success. I talked to my parents, and they agreed to sponsor me. As I waited for my admission, I had a discussion with my mentor, Justice Kenneth Kakuru (RIP).”
“I had worked at his law firm, Kakuru and Company Advocates, throughout my time at Law school. Justice Kakuru advised me to consider Uganda’s nascent oil and gas sector. I was converted, and I took on his advice. Although I had already been admitted to the University of Birmingham to study international criminal law, I instead applied to the University of Dundee (UK), where I was admitted for a master’s degree in oil and gas law. I fell in love with the sector”.
During her stay in Scotland, Nalule joined the International Energy Charter secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, for her internship. The charter promotes energy security through the operation of more open and competitive energy markets while respecting the principles of sustainable development and sovereignty over energy resources in European Union member states and beyond.
While at the Charter, Nalule got to appreciate the role of the energy sector in developing economies like Uganda.
“During this time, I interacted with several young people aged 25 or younger, most of whom were PhD holders. These were the same young people who were influencing all energy-related policies in the developing world. I immediately understood that I had to do my PhD if I was to influence anything about Africa. I returned to the University of Dundee in Scotland, where I graduated with a PhD in international energy law and policies after three years. I obtained my PhD at the age of 29. Since then, I have concentrated my efforts on publication, teaching, and activities at NEM Energy”.
Although studying abroad is pricey, Nalule insisted that unsuccessful attempts for a scholarship left her to opt for private sponsorship.
“I wanted to do all my studies when I was still young. My parents decided to sponsor me for my masters degree. When I enrolled for my PhD, we shared the cost since I was now making money,” she said.
NEM ENERGY
Nalule established NEM Energy in 2017 as an energy and mineral consultancy to offer expert guidance on the energy and mining sectors to governments and individuals on the African continent.
“At the start, several people had been invited to conferences and meetings as a voice on Africa’s potential in the energy sector. I later noticed that there was a gap in representation. Although Africa is resource-rich, there are very few indigenous African consulting firms in the energy and mining sectors. I wanted to fill this gap by lending my expertise to individuals and governments from Africa on how to raise financing for the energy transition, draft energy land laws and policies that represent the interests of the African people.”
Since then, Nalule and the team at NEM Energy have helped several governments to review their mining bills.
“I worked with the Namibian government to review their mining bill; I reviewed the Petroleum bill for the South African government; I reviewed the mining and energy laws for the Ethiopian government; and I have also advised the Ugandan government on the mining bill”.
She added, “I am an arbitrator at the Energy Disputes Arbitration Center based in Turkey. It is an opportunity for me to be among the African voices in energy arbitration.”
About Nalule
Nalule was born in November 1988 to Robert Blick Migadde and Florence Nampijja in Lubaga Divi- sion, Kampala. She is a second born in a family of five children. For her education, Nalule attended St Joseph Primary School Kabowa before joining St Lawrence Schools and Colleges, Horizon Campus for her Ordinary level.
She later joined Kabojja International School, from where she joined Uganda Christian University, Mukono, where she did her bachelor’s degree in Laws.
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