Trainees look at a machine during the opening ceremony of SINOPEC Uganda Subsidiary's localized employee skills training program at the Sunmaker Oil and Gas Training Institute in Kampala, Uganda, on April 23, 2025. SINOPEC, the Chinese firm contracted to build Uganda's Central Processing Facility (CPF), began training more than 800 Ugandans on Wednesday as part of efforts to develop a skilled local workforce for the country's oil sector.
The training, held at the Sunmaker Oil and Gas Training Institute, will run in phases through October, focusing on skills such as fabrication, pipe fitting, and scaffolding. SINOPEC plans to train approximately 860 additional individuals, emphasizing pipeline welding, CPF installation, construction, and maintenance. The company has already trained at least 900 people, equipping them with internationally recognized skills applicable worldwide.
Betty Jackie Namubiru, national content manager at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, a government body overseeing the petroleum sector, highlighted the ongoing need for skilled local workers. “I therefore want to take this opportunity to thank SINOPEC-Uganda Limited for the initiative, and Sunmaker for the effort they have put in place to continuously build capacity for Ugandans,” Namubiru said. “We believe that by equipping our local workforce with world-class skills and best practices, we are not only ensuring operational excellence but also fostering long-term economic growth, self-reliance and the development of local expertise in this vital industry,” she added.
Yi Xuhui, SINOPEC’s project director, emphasized the company’s commitment to Uganda’s development. “We are here in Uganda for Uganda. The training will continue, and these internationally recognized skills can be used by trainees anywhere in the world,” Yi said. The program reflects SINOPEC’s dedication to fostering local expertise and supporting Uganda’s oil industry growth.
Damian Yonitho, a participant in the training, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from experienced instructors. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I promise to learn with commitment so I can master as many skills as possible,” he said. Trainees like Yonitho are expected to contribute significantly to Uganda’s oil sector.
Uganda’s oil journey began with the discovery of 6.5 billion barrels in 2006, of which 1.4 billion are deemed commercially viable, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The country is advancing its oil infrastructure, including the construction of an oil refinery and a crude oil pipeline, to support its energy ambitions. SINOPEC’s training initiative aligns with these efforts, aiming to empower Ugandans to play a central role in the industry’s future.
