Over 700 youth in Albertine Graben empowered with vocational skills
KAKUMIRO, January 29, 2025 – In preparation for the opportunities in the oil and gas sector in the oil-rich Albertine Graben, over 754 youth from households affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline [EACOP] project have received certificates after completing a four-month vocational skills training programme. This training aims to equip them with the skills necessary to take advantage of the sector’s potential.
The beneficiaries come from the districts of Hoima, Kikuube, Kakumiro, Kyankwanzi, and Mubende. The youth were trained in various disciplines, including electrical installation, tailoring, hairdressing, welding, building and construction, carpentry and joinery, motor vehicle and motorcycle repair, and catering, among others.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held recently at Busanga Primary School in Kasabya Village, Katikara Sub-county, Kakumiro district, Eileen Baguma, the Corporate Affairs Manager at EACOP, explained that the training is part of their Livelihood Restoration Programme aimed at supporting families whose land was acquired for the EACOP project.
Baguma noted that the programme offers an opportunity for families affected by the EACOP to increase their production and household incomes.
“We believe that equipping you with the right skills will provide you with the capacity to start enterprises or engage in productive activities that can enhance your household incomes. I trust you will be role models for other young people in your communities because now they are looking up to you. I encourage you to be resilient and professional as you embark on your development journey,” she said, adding that all trainees would be provided with start-up kits for their businesses.
Sam Mugisa, Social Affairs Coordinator at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda [PAU], urged the youth to make full use of the skills they had acquired to seize the opportunities presented by the oil and gas sector.
He revealed that over 2,000 youth from the Albertine Graben have been trained and equipped with various skills.
Major David Matovu, the Kakumiro Resident District Commissioner, who was the Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony, commended the funders of the training, highlighting that vocational skills training is crucial in addressing the unemployment challenge among Uganda’s youth.
“The training has added significant value to the beneficiaries, and I call on more young people to acquire such skills to sustain their livelihoods,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Miriam Atuhairwe from Kidoma Village in Kizirafumbi Sub-county, Kikuube District, thanked the EACOP project for supporting their training.
“The training has equipped us with the skills that will enable us to become job creators and overcome the challenges of unemployment,” she said.
The EACOP project is a collaboration between the Governments of Uganda and Tanzania, represented by the Uganda National Oil Company [UNOC] and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation [TPDC], respectively, along with TotalEnergies and China National Offshore Oil Corporation [CNOOC], under the company EACOP Limited.
EACOP Limited has contracted China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited to undertake the construction work, including civil works and the development of construction camps.
In Uganda, the pipeline will cover 296 kilometres, passing through 10 districts and 25 sub-counties. In Tanzania, the pipeline will span 1,147 kilometres, traversing eight regions and 25 districts.
The construction of the proposed crude oil pipeline is projected to cost Shs 12 trillion, and the pipeline will transport an estimated 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The Governments of Uganda and Tanzania will contribute 30 percent of the total project cost, with oil companies funding the remaining 70 percent.
https://thecooperator.news/unoc-joins-african-energy-week-2024-as-uganda-gears-up-for-eacop-start/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
