Mrs Chioma Ezike is currently a PhD Candidate conducting her research with the Energy Justice and Social Contract Chair of University of Pau and Adour Countries France. She holds an LLM in Energy and Climate Law from the University of Groningen, Netherlands. She is a legal practitioner called to the Nigerian Bar. Before commencing further studies, she worked as a legal associate with Michaelmas Chambers and the Law office of Nnabuihe & Nnabuihe in Abuja, Nigeria.

Presently, she is the Development Director & Mentorship Project Manager of the African Energy and Mineral Management Initiative (AEMI) – a non-profit organization situate in Uganda. Her interest in the energy space was spurred by her concern about the unsustainable maximization of energy compounds, inadequate regulations, and the lack of efficient energy practices towards a better society.

Chioma has published some articles, including, a paper on Renewable Energy Deployment in Nigeria published on the AEMI website, and a co-authored an article bordering on the economics, policy and regulation of Carbon Capture and Storage technology development in Australia. This article was published in June 2022 in Volume 20 Issue 4 of the Oil, Gas and Energy Law (OGEL), an internationally reputed energy law journal, as part of its “Special Issue on Carbon Neutral Energy”. Her interests include, energy justice, energy communities, carbon capture and storage and artisanal mining.

Ms Precious Okelo is a member of the AEMI Mentorship Project Team. She is an undergraduate law student at the University of Nairobi. She is currently learning French and Mandarin. Precious is an incredibly fast learner who is kind, dedicated and eager to increase her knowledge working in the legal field

KEY AREAS OF PRACTICE

1. Drafting legal documents such as motions, briefs, complaints, or pleadings based on the attorney’s instructions
2. Researching applicable laws and legal precedents to provide legal support to attorneys working on cases
3. Preparing and filing legal documents with courts or other agencies
4. Conducting legal research on issues relevant to cases being tried in court
5. Preparing briefs, motions, petitions, and other legal documents for the court

Cliff is an innovative, analytical and resolute team player and leader with a Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from Makerere University and Master of Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University. He is a graduate member of the Institution of Surveyors of Uganda. He works with the Uganda Revenue Authority as a Domestic Taxes Officer where he ensures voluntary tax compliance majorly in the construction sector. He is experienced in managing various engineering and commercial contracts including: oil and gas, mining and civil engineering.

He manages the implementation of projects including: power generation, transmission and distribution among others. He has expertise in infrastructure finance and development. He works on multisector contracts including urban developments, humanitarian aid and agriculture among others; with multinational partners including donors, contractors and client communities. He has comprehensive knowledge in construction procurement, technology and materials. He is passionate about knowledge sharing, sustainable energy development and capacity building for the youth and has worked with various youth focused initiatives as an advisor. An ardent reader; from fiction to contemporary developments.

Edith Kabalemba is a petroleum engineer by profession with a second-class upper honours degree in oil and gas production from Kyambogo University in Uganda. She is a self-driven, hardworking, and self-motivated female Ugandan who is devoted to quality results and team building and takes work safety skills as a priority.
She is currently an academic advisor with Achieve Test Prep. In this role, she is responsible for conducting onboarding for new clients, providing academic advice, and monitoring student performance and academic progress. Over the course of her time with the company, she has earned several recognitions for being a top performer in her area of duty.
She has embraced various volunteering duties with various companies, such as White Ribbon Alliance as a data collector, ALOWA as a project coordinator, Norret Company as a petrel software trainee, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) as a treasurer, where she has earned various certificates of recognition for leading a team that won the 2020 Petrel Bowl Competitions and actively participated in the SPE Student Technical Paper Contest.

Elizabeth Natyabule is a dedicated legal professional with a passion for regulatory compliance and advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Uganda Christian University and is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma at the Law Development Centre. Her legal experience spans service at the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs—where she worked closely with the Assistant Administrator General on estate matters—and a subsequent role as a legal clerk with Centenary Rural Development Bank, conducting in-depth research on banking regulations.

Elizabeth has honed her research and reporting skills while serving as a rapporteur at the KTA Annual Symposium. Through these diverse experiences, she has developed strong analytical, drafting, and regulatory compliance capabilities. Elizabeth’s commitment to transparent governance and her keen interest in policy formulation align seamlessly with the mission of the African Energy and Mineral Management Initiative (AEMI).

At AEMI, Elizabeth looks forward to contributing her legal expertise to support responsible mining and sustainable resource management across Africa.

Byamukama Aine Jairus, a holder of a Bachelors of Laws Degree from Makerere University and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, is a young and passionate Ugandan lawyer dedicated to the intersection of justice, innovation and knowledge. She has a thirst for understanding how the law can be used in society as a tool for change.

Her love for justice fuels her participation in projects aimed at creating equitable systems that empower individuals and communities. Jairus believes that the law is a dynamic tool that can be used for change and championing the needs of the most vulnerable in society. She also subscribes to the concept of “Ikigai” which suggests that one should find work that they have expertise in, find fulfilling and with a meaningful purpose to the society at large.

Beyond her legal pursuits, Jairus is an ardent lover of literature that expands her worldview and feeds her curiosity. With a mind eager to explore and a heart set on justice, she continues to carve her path as a legal professional who believes in the power of ideas, fairness, and forward-thinking solutions. She thrives in environments where ideas are exchanged freely, solutions are crafted, and justice is pursued with integrity.

As she begins her career in legal practice, she hopes to use her abilities to positively impact people and the environment.

Nakayima Brenda, an LLM scholar in International Energy Law and Policy at Uganda Christian University, Kampala University, is a multidisciplinary professional with interest in integrating environmental protection with human rights.  Her areas of focus include equitable energy access, occupational health and safety across various sectors, and conflict resolution through non-adversarial means.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Christian University, Mukono Campus. She completed her clerkship at Luwero High Court, Luwero District, Balikyewuunya Town, Uganda, and serves as the Mentorship Programme Associate at the African Energy and Mineral Management Initiative (AEMI).

Brenda is also committed to waste management, believing that everyone has a right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

Currently a law student at Uganda Christian University,I am actively engaged in community initiatives and passionate about advancing social justice. I am pursuing my law degree, which has equipped me with a strong foundation in legal reasoning, research, and advocacy. I have been involved in several volunteer projects that address issues of inequality and promote access to justice, and I am constantly seeking ways to integrate my legal education with community service.

Through internships and volunteer work with various non-profit organizations, I have gained practical experience in legal support, public speaking, and project management. These experiences have nurtured my ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and provided me with insights into the challenges faced by underrepresented communities. I believe that law is a powerful tool for positive change, and I am eager to harness my skills to contribute meaningfully to society.

Joining AEMI’s mentorship program represents an exciting opportunity for me to grow professionally and personally. I am enthusiastic about learning from experienced mentors, expanding my network, and making impactful contributions to AEMI’s projects, particularly in areas where legal insights and community engagement intersect. I am committed to using my legal expertise to advocate for justice and improve community outcomes.