EACOP enhances local talent development with flagship training programme at UPIK

KIRYANDONGO, June 21, 2025 – – The East African Crude Oil Pipeline [ EACOP ] project has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing local talent with a high-level delegation visit to the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba [UPIK], Kiryandongo district.

The delegation included Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, High Commissioner of Tanzania to Uganda; Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU]; and Guillaume Pierart, Managing Director of EACOP, among others. They were joined by students from the first cohort of EACOP trainees, who are being prepared to operate and manage the pipeline.

The visit underscored EACOP’s significant investment in national content—a cornerstone of the project’s strategy.

Addressing the gathering, EACOP Managing Director Guillaume Pierart said, “With a US$ 15 million investment over 30 months, this is one of the largest capacity-building programs in the region. But even more remarkable than the numbers is the return on this investment that we see here today—not in figures, but in people. In the talent and potential of these dedicated trainees.”

The program’s success is rooted in a rigorous and highly competitive selection process. Laurent Stephane, Tilenga & EACOP Academy Manager, highlighted the overwhelming public interest:

“We received 13,000 applications in Uganda alone. From this vast pool, we selected the most promising candidates. A year ago, 141 trainees began this journey, and today, all 141 remain. Not a single trainee has dropped out or been dismissed due to poor performance—this speaks volumes about their motivation and the effectiveness of the program.”

The comprehensive training curriculum offers world-class international exposure, extending beyond Uganda’s borders.

“Trainees are rotating through specialised facilities, including Takatouf Petroleum Oman [TPO], one of the largest oil and gas training centres globally, and INSTEP, the Petronas training centre in Malaysia,” Stephane explained.

“They’re gaining real-world experience in safe environments before joining EACOP facilities for the critical pre-commissioning and commissioning phases. Under the guidance of commissioning mentors, they will learn how to build, operate, and maintain the pipeline—core skills for their future roles,” he added.

This focus on human capital development earned praise from Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda.

“Uganda’s oil and gas sector has a policy aimed at creating lasting value for the country,” he said. “Often, people believe that value lies only in the money earned from selling oil and gas. But I want to emphasise that our greatest value is in skilling young people, creating employment, and enabling technology transfer. Having visited many institutions globally, I can proudly say that UPIK now rivals some of the world’s leading training centres.”

One trainee, Sekera Jacob, formerly a history teacher, shared her inspiring journey.

“Coming from a teaching background, I could hardly believe it when I was selected by EACOP. With no engineering background, I seemed an unlikely choice. But EACOP looked beyond my past and saw my potential,” she said.

“This experience has taught me resilience, self-belief, and the importance of embracing the unknown. I’ve moved from the world of chalk to the world of pipelines—and I’m just getting started.”

On his part, Kisesa Simuli applauded the project’s vision and its impact on regional development.

“This program will attract more investors and create more opportunities for our youth, even beyond our borders. I look forward to continued cooperation between our governments, driven by shared opportunities like this,” he remarked.

Currently, the EACOP project stands at 62 percent overall progress. Construction progress is at 33 percent, with 400 km of the pipeline, representing 25 percent, already welded. Above Ground Installations [AGIs] are 54 percent complete, the jetty is at 60 percent, tanks are at 73 percent, and the terminal stands at 26 percen t.

The EACOP training program is a testament to the project’s long-term vision for Uganda, ensuring that the benefits of the nation’s natural resources are truly powered by its people.

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