By Johnson Kanyesige
Youth in the Bunyoro sub-region are urging candidates vying for parliamentary and local government positions to present clear plans for advocating job opportunities in the region’s emerging oil and gas sector. The youth say they are being excluded from opportunities created by the discovery of oil and gas resources despite local presence and registering their businesses on the National Supplier Database. They express frustration over limited employment and a lack of supply contracts.
They are calling on candidates to focus on ways to link them to commercial opportunities, improve access to information on procurement processes, and ensure they are considered for employment by oil companies and government bodies.
Mbabazi Talemwa, a youth from Kikuube, said many young people have completed vocational training and are qualified for jobs in the sector, but are still being ignored due to unfair recruitment practices. He said the candidates’ top priority should be advocating for ways youth can secure employment or supply goods and services in the industry.
Joan Tuhaise, a youth from Bugana village, Buliisa Sub-county, explained that candidates should help connect youth to oil and gas companies to ensure those with goods and services can supply the sector. She emphasized the need for guidance on procurement processes, which many youths currently lack. Charles Wandera from Hoima City said the youth are ready to work in the oil sector but lack connections to available opportunities. He called on candidates, if elected, to act as a bridge between youth, government, and oil companies.
Irene Katusiime from Masindi noted that despite training programs conducted by oil companies and organizations nationwide, youth have still not been considered for jobs in the sector. Deo Tumwesige from Kagadi urged politicians to press oil companies and the government to offer special consideration to youth in the Bunyoro sub-region.
Brian Kaboyo, Hoima City Mayor and candidate, called for leaders in the region to unite in advocating for youth employment in the sector.
According to PAU, many potential suppliers lack the capacity to deliver consistently due to minimal capital and informalized operations. Uganda’s national content laws require goods and services supplied to the oil sector to come from Ugandan companies. Where local suppliers cannot meet demand, joint ventures with foreign entities are allowed, provided they are approved by PAU and registered on the National Suppliers’ Database.
