90% of Oil Jobs Now Held by Ugandans

90% of Oil Jobs Now Held by Ugandans
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Ugandans Leading Oil and Gas Operations Amid Fast Approaching 2026 Target


Over the years, Uganda’s oil and gas sector has seen an increasing number of local workers employed as the country races toward producing its first commercial oil by 2026. This marks a significant shift, with Ugandans gradually taking charge of various technical and operational roles within the industry. The journey has been long and challenging, but it reflects the country’s readiness to manage its natural resources.

Uganda’s oil and gas sector currently employs 14,451 people, of which 90 percent, or 13,048, are Ugandan. The remaining 10 percent of the workforce is composed of foreign nationals with specialized skills. This progress comes at a crucial time as the sector works diligently to meet the fast-approaching 2026 deadline for the first flow of oil.

Uganda discovered commercial oil deposits in 2006, and since then, many Ugandans have pursued training abroad and later at home, preparing for the day when the country’s oil would begin to flow. However, delays in the Final Investment Decision (FID) caused setbacks. These delays saw many trained Ugandans shifting to other industries, such as manufacturing, or seeking job opportunities abroad in countries where oil production was already underway.

In 2022, the Final Investment Decision was finally signed, allowing work in the sector to progress. The question that lingered was whether Ugandans were adequately prepared to run the oil and gas industry. Recent data provided by Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa in her half-year report shows that Ugandans are now significantly involved in the industry. Among the direct employees of oil companies, 67 percent are Ugandan, while the contractors and subcontractors of these companies have employed 13,399 workers, 92 percent of whom are Ugandan. These companies have also sourced 4,483 employees from local communities near the oil operations.

Uganda has a significant amount of oil resources, with an estimated 6.5 billion barrels of oil, of which 1.5 billion barrels are recoverable. The government continues to work on strategies to enhance these resources as the country prepares for commercial oil production.

The increasing number of Ugandans employed in the sector can be attributed to improvements in local training programs. Over time, training has expanded from universities to vocational institutions and specialized training centers. The Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Uganda (OGTAU) now has 22 members, including vocational institutes, many of which are accredited by international organizations. This ensures that Ugandans who train in these institutions are equipped with skills that meet global standards.

One of the challenges for these institutions has been the cost of certification and the difficulty of hiring certified trainers. Despite these obstacles, Uganda continues to build capacity in oil and gas training. This includes efforts to keep up with changing technology in the industry. As more tasks become automated, training programs are being adapted to equip workers with the necessary skills.

Uganda’s flagship oil and gas training institution is the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), established in 2009. The institute was founded as a presidential initiative to support the country’s oil and gas sector. UPIK has formed partnerships with companies like Total Energies and CNOOC to design its curriculum and provide training that meets industry needs. Through these partnerships, UPIK benefits from experienced instructors and advanced equipment.

One key partnership between UPIK and Total Energies is the Tilenga Project Academy. This initiative allows students to undergo both theoretical and hands-on training in oil and gas projects, such as Tilenga and Kingfisher, and in Total Energies’ other global projects. More than 15,000 Ugandans have been internationally certified to work in the oil industry, both in Uganda and abroad.

UPIK graduates around 30 students each year for upstream and downstream programs, with 120 students graduating with diplomas. International certifications are provided as needed, ensuring that Uganda’s workforce remains competitive on the global stage. The institute’s success is reflected in the high employment rate of its graduates—70 percent of UPIK alumni find jobs in the oil and gas industry, while others are absorbed by sectors like sugar production and electricity distribution.

Activity in the oil-rich Albertine Graben region is increasing as Uganda approaches its 2026 deadline for oil production. Key infrastructure, such as rigs and central processing facilities, is being developed. At the same time, construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is underway. The 1,443-kilometer pipeline will transport Uganda’s oil to the Tanzanian coast at Tanga.

There is currently a high demand for welders and field operators in the oil sector, especially for work on the pipeline and related infrastructure. This demand is expected to continue growing as the sector moves closer to production. Semi-skilled labor is in high demand, but skilled roles, once dominated by expatriates, are increasingly being taken up by Ugandans. Some highly specialized roles, such as engineering and production management, are still filled by expatriates, but this is expected to change as more Ugandans gain the necessary qualifications and experience.

Employment Data in Uganda’s Oil Sector (2024)


Category Total Workers Ugandan Workers Percentage of Ugandans
Total workforce 14,451 13,048 90%
Licensee companies 1,403 940 67%
Contractors & Subcontractors 13,399 12,307 92%
Local community hires 4,483 4,483 100%

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