Business
Arua girl welds against the world in Shanghai
The 21-year-old from Arua District started her nearly nine-and-a-half-hour assessment at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, working alongside top competitors from Australia, Brazil, France, Korea, Namibia and other welding giants.
Mutoro, the only female welder in Uganda's three-person team, is carrying the flag for girls in vocational schools back home.
By: Ali Twaha, Journalist @New Vision
SHANGHAI - Uganda's Elizabeth Mirabel Mutoro today (September 25) began her toughest test under bright lights and the hiss of welding torches.
The 21-year-old from Arua District started her nearly nine-and-a-half-hour assessment at the WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 competition, working alongside top competitors from Australia, Brazil, France, Korea, Namibia and other welding giants.
Mutoro, the only female welder in Uganda's three-person team, is carrying the flag for girls in vocational schools back home.
A former student of Arua Technical Institute, she won gold at the national competition in Kiryandongo to earn her ticket to Shanghai.
Francis Omoo, principal Aria Technical Institute, who accompanied her to Shanghai, said the task is not ordinary welding. The judges are testing for leak-proof perfection under pressure.
"They are trying to test what is called welding leak-proof. Under compression, the product should not leak. It's something similar to the skills that China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) needs in Uganda in the oil and gas sector," Omoo told New Vision in Shanghai.
He explained that the test is about structural integrity, the same science that stops bridges from collapsing under heavy loads.
Francis Omoo, principal Aria Technical Institute, who accompanied her to Shanghai, said the task is not ordinary welding. The judges are testing for leak-proof perfection under pressure.
Mutoro's performance is critical because the oil and gas sector, where CNOOC and TotalEnergies are operating, need this kind of high-pressure, leak-proof welding skill.
"They are trying to test what is called welding leak-proof. Under compression, the product should not leak. It's something similar to the skills that China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) needs in Uganda in the oil and gas sector," Omoo told New Vision in Shanghai.
He explained that the test is about structural integrity, the same science that stops bridges from collapsing under heavy loads.
"What's the integrity of the structure of holding a load? You have seen our bridges collapse because of a load. So that is the integrity they are being tested on. That product is being put there to test them. So if you weld and there is no leakage, then you have passed that test," Omoo said.
The 9.5 hour session allows only short, monitored consultation breaks. No phones, no outside help.
Mutoro's performance is critical because the oil and gas sector, where CNOOC and TotalEnergies are operating, need this kind of high-pressure, leak-proof welding skill.
She is competing at the National Exhibition and Convention Center where over 1,300 youth from 68 countries are battling for gold.
Final scores for welding will be announced at the closing ceremony on September 27.
The 9.5 hour session allows only short, monitored consultation breaks. No phones, no outside help.
Mutoro's performance is critical because the oil and gas sector, where CNOOC and TotalEnergies are operating, need this kind of high-pressure, leak-proof welding skill.
She is competing at the National Exhibition and Convention Center where over 1,300 youth from 68 countries are battling for gold.
Final scores for welding will be announced at the closing ceremony on September 27.