CNOOC Uganda Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to developing Uganda’s skilled workforce with the successful completion of the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) program.
A total of 100 Ugandans have graduated with internationally recognized certifications in core technical disciplines critical to the energy and construction sectors.
The graduates include instructors and students from twelve vocational training institutes across Uganda, including four institutions from the Albertine Region.
Each of the 100 trainees specialized in one of five technical fields: electrical maintenance, electrical installation, pipefitting, scaffolding, and rigging.
Delivered over a two-month period by Zetta Energy Ltd, in collaboration with the Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in Namanve, the program blended theoretical learning with practical hands-on training, occupational health and safety practices, and exposure to international standards.
Sponsored by CNOOC Uganda Limited, the program aimed to boost Uganda’s local content by strengthening vocational training, improving technical capacity, and ensuring long-term knowledge transfer within institutions across the country.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Hoima, Mr. Eric Jumba, National Content Manager at CNOOC Uganda Limited, congratulated the trainees for their commitment and successful completion of the program.
He emphasized that the training was rigorous and required technical accuracy, safety awareness, and a solid grasp of global best practices.
Mr. Jumba stated that the initiative aligns with the company’s vision of “Energy for a Better Future” and reflects its ongoing investment in human capital to meet both local and international industry demands.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Komurubuga Mathew, an instructor at St. Simon Vocational Training Institute in Hoima, shared how the training had significantly improved his expertise in rigging.
He noted that obtaining such a qualification would have been financially impossible without the support of CNOOC Uganda Limited.
He added that the skills he acquired will now be transferred to his students, creating a ripple effect of knowledge in the region.
This training initiative is part of a broader national content strategy by CNOOC Uganda Limited to uplift communities in the Albertine Region and throughout Uganda.
The company continues to roll out several development programs, including the Best Performers Awards that have benefited over 1,400 students in Hoima and Kikuube districts, and 11 fully sponsored scholarships for Ugandan students to pursue higher education at the China University of Petroleum.
In addition, the company has facilitated the training of 500 welders and 300 goods vehicle drivers, provided modern medical equipment to local health centers, and implemented livelihood restoration projects such as rice and millet demonstration gardens, currently benefiting over 700 individuals.
CNOOC Uganda Limited also promotes environmental conservation through nationwide tree planting initiatives, aimed at fostering sustainable oil and gas operations.
Through these integrated programs, CNOOC Uganda continues to position itself not only as a key energy investor but also as a long-term development partner for Uganda.
The company’s national content efforts are aligned with the country’s Vision 2040 and are helping to shape a skilled, competitive workforce ready for global opportunities.
