Kampala hosts oil and gas regional expo

PIC: Equipment, including trucks and cranes, were exhibited during the two-day Oil and Gas Convention that opened on Tuesday April 25, 2017 at Kampala Serena Hotel. (Credit: John Odyek)

KAMPALA - Many logistics, oil and gas companies have set up tents to showcase activities in the oil and gas industry in Uganda.

The two-day Regional Logistics Expo opened at the Kampala Serena Hotel Tuesday, where members of the public are seeing various companies involved in oil and gas activities.

Among the eye-catching items on show are huge cranes and trucks that are used by the oil and gas industry. A specialised helicopter is to be exhibited. This will be used to transport personnel and equipment during oil production.

The event is organized by the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association, Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum and the Private Sector Foundation.

Jennifer Mwijukye, the chairperson of the Uganda Freight Forwarders Association, said it was time to join hands and define strategic economic interventions that can spur sustained economic growth in Uganda.

"Both the logistics and oil industries believe that transforming Uganda into a regional logistics hub will significantly help the country attain its middle income aspirations," she said.

Elly Karuhanga, the chairman of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, said that more than 800,000 tonnes of equipment is expected to be transported to the Albertine oil region as Uganda seeks to achieve her first oil by 2020.

Karuhanga said over 1,000 delegates are expected from across the world to attend the expo.

He said the expo and symposium will present an opportunity for joint-venture partnerships within the logistics industry, between local players and their large international counterparts to build the capacity needed to serve the oil industry.