As government remains clueless on when the first oil production will start after failing to secure the necessary funds to invest in oil production, Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK) has held the first graduation ceremony since inception in 2009.
The petroleum institute was established to spearhead the development of highly specialized skills training programmes key for the development of Uganda’s economy and the emerging oil and gas sector.
The institute is mandated to train technicians in Oil and Gas operations and maintenance programmes.
Education Minister, Janet Museveni officiated the graduation ceremony where about 200 graduands were passed out after acquiring skills in the petroleum sector.
Speaking to graduands, Mrs. Museveni said that government on November 15, launched the Bursary Scheme in the Albertine Region with support from World Bank (IDB) in implementation of the Albertine Region Sustainable Development Project (ARSDP), designed in 2014 to equip more students with skills.
She said that ARSDP focuses on improving the curriculum through twinning arrangements with internationally accredited training institutions in targeted trades.
“Bursaries are to ensure that training standards improve to the level required by employers,” she said.
Mrs. Museveni also reiterated the government’s commitment towards skilling Ugandans and building the workforce required in the Oil and Gas Sector.
“I salute UPIK for preparing the graduands. I thank the parents and guardians for entrusting us with your children and supporting them through the course of their studies,” Mrs. Museveni said.
