By Edward Byamukama
As Uganda awaits the first oil production in 2026, the Minister of Education and Sports also the First lady, Janet Kataha Museveni has urged graduates in petroleum training Institutes to transform skills attained for their self-development and exhibit professionalism in their activities especially in the oil and gas industry.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda at the graduation ceremony of Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) in Kiryandongo district on Friday asked graduates to serve with integrity, never separate their technical knowledge from their moral values and above all exhibit patriotism.
She added that, the government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education is committed to support Uganda Petroleum Institute located in Kigumba and other petroleum training institutions for their growth.
She commended Oil companies, CNOOC, UNOC and Total EP Uganda for supporting in facilitating the training of students to attain the special skills required in the sector.
Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director Petroleum Authority of Uganda said that, UPIK has been key in training students to work in the oil and Gas sector, saying, this marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey though building capacity and facilitate Uganda s in the participation of Uganda’s oil industry.
He said there is a shortage of people with skills in the Oil and Gas industry therefore asking graduates to grab the opportunities available.
Bernard Ongodiya, the Principal Petroleum Institute, disclosed that 70% of the graduates have already been taken by Oil companies, saying out of the 700 graduates, over 200 students have been sponsored by CNOOC.
He asked graduates to embrace the knowledge and skills attain to transform their lives. However, he asked the government to address the challenge of few infrastructure understaffing at the institution.
MA Jin, the head of Legal and commercial department at CNOOC, disclosed that this year CNOOC has trained 200 welders making a total of students so far supported to 580, adding that the oil company is committed to continue supporting different groups to meet international standards.
Over 700 graduated in certificate and diploma courses in downstream and upstream petroleum operators, international vocational qualification in petroleum process operations, Health safety and environment, mechanical maintenance and structural plate and pipe welding among others.
