The Petroleum Authority of Uganda’s Corporate Affairs Manager on courage, calling, loss, leadership, and living a life aligned with purpose.
In Uganda’s rapidly evolving oil and gas sector, an industry layered with complexity, scrutiny, political sensitivity, technical sophistication, and high public expectations, communication is not a function; it is a responsibility.
Few professionals have carried that responsibility with as much steadiness, clarity, and grace as Gloria Sebikari, Manager of Corporate Affairs at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).
Her career has unfolded across the rise of Uganda’s petroleum industry. From the early exploration stage, the policy and regulatory foundations, the height of public debate on resource governance, and now, the transition toward production.
She has built her voice in one of the most misunderstood, highly questioned, yet nationally significant sectors. A space where communication must be exact, truthful, and deeply grounded in integrity.
Her letter to her younger self is not only reflective; it is spiritual, honest, and emotionally intelligent. It reads like the distilled wisdom of a woman who has carried both opportunity and loss, leadership and vulnerability, ambition and faith, in equal measure.
On risks — “Leaving comfort was the beginning of everything.”
Gloria begins in 2010 with a decision that would define the rest of her professional life.
“Leaving the comfort of a permanent job for a two-year contract felt reckless, almost foolish.”
“But that very step opened the door to oil and gas and reshaped my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”
It is a reminder that the biggest opportunities often come disguised as instability; something many young Ugandan professionals fear.
She also speaks about a more subtle kind of risk: confrontation, or the courage to tell the truth when it is uncomfortable.
“Silence doesn’t keep the peace; it only delays growth.”
“Speak your truth, kindly but firmly.”
“Honest dialogue, even in disagreement, builds more trust than avoiding the conversation ever will.”
This is the hard-earned wisdom of someone who has navigated multi-stakeholder environments, regulatory expectations, and the sensitivities of Uganda’s most strategic sector.
Her final instruction is a challenge to outgrow timidity. “Step outside your comfort zone sooner. The roles that scare you the most are often the ones that grow you the deepest.
“One day, you’ll mentor others and realise how far you’ve come,” she reckons.
On mistakes—”Some mistakes are simply missed chances.”
Gloria reflects on the early years when she wished she had begun in journalism.
“I sometimes wish I had begun in a newsroom before stepping into corporate communications.”
“Journalists see the world in sharp frames and unfiltered truths, and that perspective might have shaped me earlier.”
But even here, she finds gratitude: “Life has a way of teaching us through the people we walk with… I’ve been blessed to learn from media colleagues along the way.”
Then she turns to a deeply personal wound; the loss of her father while she was away studying.
“For years, I carried the weight of wondering if leaving was wrong.”
This is a moment many global scholars and professional women will recognise. It is the tension between opportunity and family, ambition and presence, calling and grief.
Her conclusion is gentle, heartbreaking, and wise: “Grief doesn’t always come with answers… some questions are best left as they are, held gently in the heart.”
On self-worth, burnout, resilience & ambition — “Your worth is not tied to titles or targets.”
Gloria turns inward, to the emotional cost of ambition.
“You will push yourself, sometimes too far.”
Absa, ENS Africa, A&O Shearman and Nomura Advise Asahi Holdings on USD 2.3bn Acquisition of 65% Stake in EABL“You’ll wear exhaustion like a badge, until you learn that rest is not weakness but wisdom.”
Her message about identity is grounding: “Your worth is not tied to titles or targets.” “You are valuable before you achieve a single thing.”
On ambition, she offers a balanced, spiritual redefinition: “Ambition is beautiful, but without resilience it burns too hot.”
And on resilience: “It’s not about being unshaken; it’s about feeling the tremor, pausing to breathe, and still finding your way forward.”
Her healing tools are simple but profound: “Travel, prayer, laughter; these will heal you.”
“Aim for excellence, not perfection.”
“Your Christian faith will be your anchor, your centre.”
This is the emotional architecture behind her professional composure.
Her definition of success now is rooted in simplicity and alignment: “Success is work that matters.”
On Success — “A life aligned with your values.”
Like many young professionals, Gloria once equated success with advancement:
“In your twenties, success will look like a car, a promotion, a bigger pay cheque.”
But realisation came with maturity: “While the promotion will bring a car, it may also come with burnout.”
Her definition of success now is rooted in simplicity and alignment: “Success is work that matters.”
“Customers who feel seen.” “A team that thrives.” “Dinners with family.” “Unhurried conversations with friends.” “A life aligned with your values.”
She anchors her message with a powerful quote from Sheryl Sandberg: “We each have to chart our unique course and define which goals fit our lives, values, and dreams.”
On leadership — “Build a space where people flourish even when you’re not in the room.”
Gloria’s leadership philosophy has evolved significantly.
“At first, you’ll think leadership is about doing more, proving more, being more.”
Over time, she learned: “Leadership is really about helping others do the greatest things they’re capable of.”
She emphasises purpose-driven leadership: “Modern leadership must be purpose-driven, inspiring growth, empowerment, and impact.”
And emotional intelligence: “Emotional intelligence is critical — not just for personal development but for supporting the teams we lead.”
Her legacy, she says, is simple: “Build a space where people flourish even when you’re not in the room.”
That is leadership beyond ego; leadership rooted in service.
On regrets, redirections & revelations — “Not everyone will see your worth.”
Gloria closes with candour: “I regret the times I stayed silent when my voice mattered.”
“I’ve learned to pick my battles; not every fight is worth my energy.”
And her most profound realisation: “Not everyone will see your worth. But when you live in purpose, the right people will.”
Her final instructions to her younger self are short, clear, and powerful: “Take the risk.” “Say the hard thing.” “Rest when you need to.” “Treasure the people you love.”
“And never forget. You are enough, even before the applause.”
