People who can create competitive businesses, manage resources prudently, and uphold the public interest are needed for Uganda's energy projects.
According to Justice Paul Kihiika, the approaching commercial stage of Uganda's oil and gas industry emphasizes the need for professionals whose expertise will benefit the country’s economy.
The Chancellor of the Institute of Petroleum Studies Kampala says, “Investments made by the public and private sectors in the auxiliary oil and gas value chain should lead to the creation of new jobs in the nation where the necessary skills would be required.”
Speaking during the 7th Graduation of the Institute, at which several students were awarded Masters of Laws, Business Administration, Environmental Science and other disciplines, all with majors in Oil and Gas studies, Justice Kihiika acknowledged the significant transformation in Uganda’s key resource.
“Thirteen years ago, when this institute was started, Uganda’s oil was not sufficiently explored and developed as it is now. We, as a section of the Judiciary, had a trip to the oil fields. And I can tell you that things are happening. This is why your graduation is a historic one,” the Chancellor advised.
He also mentioned progress on the 1,447-kilometer East African Crude Oil Pipeline project, which is set to transport the country's crude oil from Kabaale in Hoima to the Chongoleani Peninsula near Tanga Port in Tanzania, as well as the proposed oil refinery project in Hoima, which he says will provide enormous opportunities for Ugandan workers.
“First oil is just a couple of weeks away. The progress being realised with the Pipeline and the refinery projects are encouraging, and this industry is moment-defining for all of us Ugandans if we manage it well,” Kihiika noted.
The Chancellor advised the new oil and gas graduates that, “We have trained you not just to merely get a job in oil and gas, but competence without compromise, local content with international standards. This institute is training citizens beyond Uganda. And there are other oil-related projects within the region and beyond.”
The Institute of Petroleum Studies Kampala (IPSK) is a privately owned institution that offers training and instruction in the field of petroleum exploration, recovery, refinement and responsible utilization in Uganda.
In remarks before the same audience, Dr. John Senyonyi, the former Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, cautioned the new oil and gas experts to critically value morals and serve the community with utmost fairness.
“Your love for God is demonstrated by your neighbouring, the helpless, the needy, the rich, the poor, the ruler and the ruled with fairness. Treat the training and skills that you have now attained as a tool for bettering the society in which we live,” the scholar stated in a pointed reference to the so-called “oil curse.”
NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong stated that Uganda’s ambition to transform the country’s economy into a $500 billion economy is partly anchored on the oil and gas sector and thus the skill sets being produced by IPSK are critical in contributing to the anticipated economic milestone.
“Government liberalized the education sector. This effort by the Institute of Petroleum Studies is very important in supporting the development of human resource capacity for our oil and gas sector, in achieving the 10-fold economic growth,” Todwong said.
According to Abraham Nkata, the Chairman of IPSK’s Governing Council, the energy training institute “is committed towards strengthening institutional capabilities towards supporting wider human capital development in an increasingly complex oil and gas industry, as every action has consequences.”
Patrick Ruharuza, the Institute’s Principal, reiterated the commitment towards investment in people, research and strategy, including collaboration, as essential for successfully harnessing the country’s oil resource.
“We want an IPSK graduate to demonstrate sound judgement, applied knowledge to unfamiliar problems and communicate conclusions supported by evidence, and these capabilities must guide us as we teach and assess the learning process,” he said.
Evelyn Agasha, a top student in Oil and Gas Management, alongside others, hailed the institute for the skilling, which she said would now support her capacity to source for a job within the nascent oil and gas sector.
“I have the confidence that I shall, God willing, get a job within this new oil and gas industry. I am prepared for the task ahead,” Agasha said.
The theme of the year is “First Oil and Beyond: Preparing Professionals for Sustainable Energy Development,” reflecting the responsibility ahead.