Overview:

CNOOC Uganda Limited is bridging the skills gap in the Albertine region by linking academic excellence to future opportunities in the energy sector through its 13th annual awards program.

HOIMA CITY, Uganda — Wang Jufeng, vice president of CNOOC Uganda Limited, has urged students in the Bunyoro sub-region to position themselves for opportunities within the energy sector as the company recognized 300 top-performing learners during the 2026 Best Performers Awards.

Speaking at the ceremony in Hoima City, Wang emphasized that the awards program is designed to inspire ambition and prepare the next generation to contribute to the nation’s development, with a specific focus on the oil and gas industry and other key sectors.

The company has allocated 73.05 million Ugandan shillings for this year’s awards, benefiting students from more than 40 schools across Hoima District, Kikuube District, and Hoima City. The initiative targets those who demonstrated academic excellence in their primary and secondary leaving examinations.

Wang noted that each beneficiary represents a future contributor to Uganda’s economic landscape. To support this transition, CNOOC has integrated the awards into a broader talent development mission that includes international scholarships and vocational training programs.

The vocational initiatives have already equipped more than 1,000 youth with practical skills in fields such as welding and heavy goods vehicle operation, providing internationally recognized certifications necessary for employment in the Albertine region’s extractive industry.

Since its inception in 2013, the Best Performers Awards program has supported 1,748 students. Company officials reported that participating schools have seen a 400 percent improvement in academic performance over the 13-year period.

Hoima City Lord Mayor Brian Kaboyo, who attended as the chief guest, commended the oil firm for aligning its corporate social responsibility with the region’s long-term human capital needs. He noted that such investments are essential for ensuring local communities are ready to participate in large-scale infrastructure and energy projects.

CNOOC Uganda Limited, the operator of the Kingfisher Development Area, reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and community stakeholders to ensure sustainable socio-economic transformation through education and skills acquisition.