KIKUUBE – Subjects of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom have been warned against abandoning other sectors in favour of the nascent oil and gas sector whose activities could see Uganda produce its first oil in 2025.
Speaking recently during the graduation of 100 youth who completed a six-month training in vocational skills, Peter Banura, the Kikuube district LCV chairperson noted that as the country heads to the production of its first oil, many people in Bunyoro Sub-region are putting less effort into sectors like agriculture, tourism and fishing among others.
He urged the people from Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom to embrace other sectors such as agriculture to avoid “Dutch disease”, which he said has faced several oil-producing countries.
Dutch disease is a concept that describes an economic phenomenon where the rapid development of one sector of the economy [particularly natural resources] precipitates a decline in other sectors.
He cautioned that the oil drilling in the region is expected to last for about 30 years, adding that there is a need to prepare the people so that they would be able to survive after the planned period for oil drilling elapses.
The training of 100 youth is one of the initiatives funded by China National Offshore Oil Corporation [CNOOC] Uganda to prepare Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom subjects to tap into opportunities created by the oil and gas sector in the region. CNOOC is running the Kingfisher Oil Field in Buhuka parish, Kyangwali Sub-county in Kikuube district.
The selected students were awarded Directorate of Industrial Training [DIT] certificates in various vocational fields such as catering, electrical installation, driving, building and construction, M mechanics, and fabrication among others after successful training at Nile Vocational Institute in Hoima City.
Speaking at the same function on Thursday, CNOON vice-president, Peixin Ma said the training initiative is one of the company’s commitments put in place to promote local content.
He noted that such training will help the local communities who were affected by the oil project to offer services and goods to the sector.
“CNOOC is committed to fostering sustainable growth and empowering communities in the project area. The vocational skills training livelihood restoration programme, not only provides individuals with the tools they need to secure employment opportunities but also nurtures their entrepreneurship spirit, laying the foundation for long term success,” he said.
Peninah Aheebwa, the director Technical Support Services at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU] advised the graduates and the local business community to register on the National Oil and Gas Talent Register so that they can be easily identified for opportunities.
She noted the oil and gas sector has so far offered over 20,000 jobs out of the 100,000 that were expected to be delivered. She urged the youth to prepare so that they grab more job opportunities in the sector.
Rodger Mbabazi, the resident district commissioner Hoima district commended CNOOC for skilling the youth, saying the now-skilled youth will be able to create jobs and employ others.
Philip Katahoire, Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom minister for the Diaspora commended CNOOC for skilling the kingdom’s subjects, saying the kingdom has been desiring to see its youth skilled so that they participate in the oil and gas sector.
He noted that vocational skills are the only tool that can address unemployment but most of the young people have a negative mindset towards the practical courses that can earn them employment.
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