100 Ugandan students embark on international oil training

In a significant step toward enhancing Uganda’s oil and gas industry, 100 young Ugandans have embarked on an intensive international training programme in France, Malaysia, and Oman.

This marks a crucial milestone in their journey to becoming skilled professionals ready to support the country’s burgeoning oil sector, particularly the Tilenga project.

A statement released by Total Energies on Thursday (April 3) said the students were selected from the inaugural cohort of 200 trainees under the Tilenga Academy, who began their local training in April 2024 at the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba.

Their training covered oil and gas production, maintenance, and health, safety, and environment.

The international component of the programme will further refine their expertise in production, electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation.

Philippe Groueix, the general manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, emphasized the significance of this initiative.

"We are exceptionally proud of the progress achieved by our selected students. The academy programme is structured to provide them with extensive training, equipping them with essential skills and international certifications necessary for their roles in this significant project once production commences," he said.

"This initiative underscores our commitment to developing Ugandan talent and creating shared value for Uganda."

The 18-week international training will be followed by a five-week session in France, culminating in an Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization (OPITO) certification.

This qualification will increase the students’ employability not only in Uganda but also globally. 

Another batch of 100 trainees, who commenced training at UPIK in October 2024, will follow the same path later this year.

Many of the trainees see this opportunity as a life-changing one.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I have been given to make a significant contribution to my country and build a rewarding career for myself," said Rania Birungi, one of the selected students.

Upon completion of their training, the students are expected to take up various specialized roles in Uganda’s oil sector: 29 percent will focus on production, 23 percent mechanical maintenance, 23 percent on instrumentation maintenance, 14 percent on electrical maintenance, 6 percent in laboratory work, and 1 percent in inspection. 

Their expertise will be crucial in sustaining the country’s oil production efforts.