Students at Makerere University and other institutions have been urged to take advantage of the opportunities available in the developing oil and gas sector in the country.
The learners were called to exploit the opportunities that have been availed by government and other players in form of jobs, internship placements as well as sponsored skills development.
Godfrey Kagga, a Drilling and Performance Engineer at TotalEnergies Uganda revealed that his company has not only absorbed many graduates so far, but also facilitated further trainings for engineering students in France.
“We have many testimonials from here at Makerere, of some of the beneficiaries of these trainings and skill enhancement and there will be more,” he said.
Mr Kagga was speaking Tuesday at a students’ technical conference organized by Society of Engineers Makerere University Chapter and the Makerere University Petroleum and Geological Society (MPGS).
The event was attended by officials from all key players in the oil and gas sector including oil companies and government agencies.
The conference was attended by students from different universities
It also attracted students from other universities including MUBS, MUST, King Caesar University, International University of East Africa, among others.
Mr. Seith Muhumuza, the Manager Stakeholder Management at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) advised the students seeking employment in the sector to sign up for the National Oil and Gas Talent Register (NOGTR) in order to boost their visibility.
The register, he said, is currently being used by players in government and private sector to look of talent in the energy sector.
“We have 63 contractors and sub contactors in Uganda in oil and gas and most of them pick their talent from the register,” he said.
“We have had trainings and capacity building from people in the register, some have been picked by Total Energies and had their capacities enhanced. It has helped many young Ugandans to get employment and internship opportunities. It also helps us as employers to monitor the employability of young people we have in the country vis a vis the recruitment of the expatriates.”
John Bosco Ahabwomugisha, the Deputy MD of the east African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) also revealed that his company has many opportunities awaiting talented graduates.
John Bosco Ahabwomugisha, the Deputy MD of the east African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
“EACOP is a new pipeline system in East Africa and we definitely need young talent; there are very many opportunities in the areas of construction, civil engineers, welding, mechanical engineering, electrical instrumentation and telecoms,” he said.
“We are encouraging young people to adopt especially the field of instrumentation because as a country we don’t have many experts and yet it is an area that is picking up.”
At the conference and exhibition event which was held under the theme; “the role of young professionals in the evolving energy sector,” students also presented papers on different topics in the oil and has sector.
There was also exhibition of several student projects including one on carbon capture utilization and storage as well as a model of a petroleum system.
Ms. Rahma Nantongo, the MPGS President
Ms. Rahma Nantongo, the MPGS President said they invited students from other universities in order to share experiences.
“Our societies don’t work alone; we believe in exchange of ideas and experience,” she said
“As young professionals who are looking to be part of the oil and has sector, we want to see how we can influence the current tech, with help from the players including the oil and gas companies.”
