Why First Lady Janet Museveni is urging youth to embrace vocational skills
“Skills development is one of the pillars upon which economic transformation will stand,” she said.
The ceremony celebrated 781 graduates, including 153 with diplomas in upstream and downstream petroleum operations and 628 certificate holders in specialised fields, including health, safety and environment (HSE); mechanical maintenance and welding. (Photos by Peter Abaanabasazi)
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First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, has rallied the youth to prioritise vocational skills training.
Mrs Museveni says the training is a pathway to social and economic empowerment.
The First Lady's call was delivered on December 2, 2025, during the Kiryandongo district-based Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK)'s graduation ceremony. She emphasised that technical expertise is a cornerstone of Uganda’s economic future, particularly as the country prepares for full-scale oil and gas production.
Delivering her message through education ministry permanent secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, Mrs Museveni stressed that vocational training is indispensable for building a workforce capable of driving Uganda’s resource-driven economy.
Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry education Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda during the graduation ceremony.
“Skills development is one of the pillars upon which economic transformation will stand,” she said.
“In the oil and gas sector, we cannot afford to remain on the sidelines. We must cultivate Ugandans who are technically competent, ethical, innovative, and deeply patriotic.”
UPIK, established in 2009 as a specialised institution for petroleum training, has become central to this vision. With the country on the brink of large-scale oil production, Museveni highlighted the institute’s critical role in equipping graduates with skills ranging from engineering to safety management.
“The oil and gas sector demands not just engineers but also safety specialists, supervisors, and managers who embody integrity and responsibility,” she said.
“Your success will be measured by how you use your skills to serve others and build, not destroy, our nation.”
The ceremony celebrated 781 graduates, including 153 with diplomas in upstream and downstream petroleum operations and 628 certificate holders in specialised fields, including health, safety and environment (HSE); mechanical maintenance and welding.
Institute principal Bernard Ongodia said diploma programmes funded by the Government span two years, while certificate courses, which are supported by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), last six months.
CNOOC, the operator of the Kingfisher oil field in Kikuube district, has been a key partner in upskilling Ugandans.
CNOOC’s head of legal and commercial affairs Ma Jin said they have trained 240 welders this year, bringing the total to 500 through UPIK collaborations.
“Our goal is to empower Ugandans, especially those in our operational areas, to benefit from the oil and gas industry,” he said.
Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) executive director Ernest Rubondo praised UPIK’s role in bridging skills gaps.
“UPIK is a centre of excellence for oil and gas training,” he said, noting that 70% of graduates secure sector jobs due to demand-driven curricula.
Rubondo also said over $10 million (about shillings 3.6 trillion) invested by the industry in training 14,000 Ugandans in technical disciplines like HSE, welding, and heavy machinery operation.