KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda’s Minister of Energy, Ruth Nankabirwa, has reiterated the government’s commitment to harnessing the country’s oil resources for prosperity.
Speaking at the 9th Uganda International Oil and Gas Summit (UIOGS), Nankabirwa emphasized the transformative potential of the oil and gas sector. “The oil and gas sector is seen as a transformative force for Uganda’s economy, emphasizing shared prosperity and sustainable development,” she said.
Nankabirwa noted that the government has put in place a robust framework to ensure that the oil and gas sector is developed in a responsible and sustainable manner. “We have established a strong regulatory framework, which includes the Petroleum Act and the Petroleum Revenue Management Act,” she said.
The Minister also emphasized the importance of local content development in the oil and gas sector. “We are committed to ensuring that Ugandans benefit from the oil and gas sector, through employment, training, and business opportunities,” she said.
Nankabirwa also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the oil and gas sector. “We have established a Petroleum Authority, which is responsible for regulating the sector and ensuring that it is developed in a transparent and accountable manner,” she said.
Hu Weijie, Vice President of CNOOC Uganda Limited, also spoke at the summit, highlighting the progress made in the Kingfisher oilfield project. “We have made significant investments in Uganda’s oil and gas sector, contributing to the country’s GDP and economic growth,” Weijie said.
Weijie also emphasized CNOOC’s commitment to sustainability practices, including environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality. “We have started installation of gas turbine generators that will make use of excess gas to generate power, preventing flaring and reducing carbon emissions,” he said.
The Kingfisher project has also made significant progress in local content development, with 146 national staff accounting for 64% of the workforce. Over 78% of total project personnel, including contractors and subcontractors, are Ugandans.
The summit also highlighted the training of 200 future Tilenga project operators and production technicians. “This is a significant investment in Uganda’s human capital, and we are proud to partner with Petronas to provide world-class training,” Weijie said.
Philippe Groueix, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, has provided updates on the Tilenga project, highlighting significant progress in the training of Ugandan professionals.
Groueix revealed that 200 future Tilenga project operators and production technicians are currently undergoing training at the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK).
The students will receive further training at Petronas’ world-class training facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This marks the first time Petronas has opened its training facility to students from other companies and Ugandan students.
Groueix emphasized the importance of developing local talent in the oil and gas sector. “We are committed to investing in the next generation of Ugandan oil and gas professionals,” he said.
The Tilenga project is a key component of Uganda’s oil and gas development, and the training program is designed to equip Ugandans with the skills and expertise needed to participate in the sector.
The UIOGS summit provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the oil and gas sector in Uganda, and to chart a course for the future.
