EACOP and Sector Regulators Celebrate Increased Skills Development
By Solomon Lubambula
Over 1,400 young Ugandans have acquired vital skills to tap into the growing opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
The Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), in collaboration with the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Limited (EACOP) and other industry partners, has trained individuals in fabrication and other specialized skills to build a competent workforce for the sector.
According to James Okwi, Skills Development Officer at PAU, the 2013 workforce strategy projected that Uganda would employ 161,000 people in the oil and gas sector. However, a subsequent study revealed that many Ugandans lacked the required competencies to secure these jobs.
“Yes, Ugandans have studied welding at institutions like Kyambogo University, but oil and gas standards demand international certification. Our goal has been to ensure training providers are certified. We now have 14 accredited training institutions, which is a major achievement,” Okwi stated.
At a graduation ceremony for orbital welding trainees at the Uganda Industrial Research Institute in Namanve, Okwi disclosed that 1,471 Ugandan welders have attained international certification.
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), in partnership with contractor Chu Kong Petroleum and Natural Gas Steel Pipe Holdings and Avanti Energy Services Limited, conducted an orbital welding training program.
This initiative trained 20 technicians as part of Panyu Chu Kong’s commitment to national content development and technology transfer.
Okwi encouraged the trained welders to register with the National Supply Database to access opportunities in fabrication, one of the 16 ring-fenced services prioritizing Ugandan service providers. He also urged those who have established welding businesses to prequalify with PAU’s National Supplier Database.
“Some work scopes, such as fabrication, are ring-fenced for Ugandans. Before EACOP awards contracts to non-Ugandan entities, they must prove that no Ugandan can perform the work. That’s why we emphasize training,” Okwi explained.
EACOP is constructing a pipeline to transport crude oil from Kabaale, Uganda, to Tanga, Tanzania. Orbital welding, an automated technique that ensures high-quality welds, will be used in this project.
John Basco Habumugisha, EACOP’s Deputy Managing Director, highlighted that the graduates have acquired specialized skills in automated welding, aligning with modern engineering technologies.
“When we were in school, welding was different. We discussed automated welding, but in practice, we relied on manual techniques like protecting your eyes and cutting
Weld. Now, with advanced technology, material wastage and defect rates are significantly lower,” Habumugisha remarked.
He emphasized that welding is no longer solely dependent on individual skills but is increasingly technology-driven. Orbital welding involves a mechanically rotating torch or electrode that moves around a stationary workpiece, such as a pipe, to produce a continuous, high-quality weld. This technique will be applied in EACOP’s pipeline project.
Currently, Uganda lacks orbital welding machines for training, and most local certifications focus on manual welding techniques. Recognizing this gap, Panyu Chu Kong and Avanti brought a ‘Pipeline All-Position Automatic Welding Machine’ to Uganda and hired an expert trainer from Canada to conduct a three-week training program.
This initiative marks a significant step toward equipping Ugandans with the necessary expertise to participate in the oil and gas sector, ensuring that local talent benefits from the country’s emerging petroleum industry.
