The East African Crude Oil Pipeline’s (EACOP) Senior Leadership Team (SLT) visited the Uganda Petroleum Institute, Kigumba (UPIK), to review EACOP Academy’s progress and engage with trainees currently enrolled in the Academy. The visit brought together high-level representatives from government, regulatory bodies, academia, and the private sector.
Among the key guests were H.E. Maj. Gen. Paul Kisesa Simuli, Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Uganda; Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU); senior officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD); UPIK’s leadership and trainers; members of the EACOP SLT; and all 141 EACOP Academy students.
Launched in August 2024, the EACOP Academy is a flagship vocational training programme designed to build local capacity for midstream oil and gas operations. The Academy currently supports 141 trainees 25% of whom are female, and 80% from communities along the pipeline route. The programme evolved from the EACOP Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), which attracted over 23,000 registrations and resulted in more than 12,000 completions. Building on that foundation, 110 trainees were selected from Tanzania through the EACOP MOOC, and 31 from Uganda through the Tilenga MOOC. The Academy delivers hands-on, practical training aligned with national development goals and EACOP’s operational requirements across East Africa.
In his keynote address, EACOP MD Guillaume DULOUT shared the broader vision of the programme, stating: “This is what the EACOP Academy stands for: building a skilled workforce, yes but more importantly, building a community of professionals ready to take responsibility for one of the most ambitious energy projects on the continent.” He emphasized that beyond technical training, the Academy seeks to build leadership, accountability, and a strong professional ethics among young people.
Mr. Bernard Ongodia, Director of UPIK, expressed his appreciation for EACOP’s continued support, noting that the partnership has significantly enhanced the institute’s training capabilities and broadened opportunities for learners.
As part of the visit, guests were taken on a guided tour of UPIK’s vocational training workshops. Students demonstrated their technical skills in various disciplines and shared powerful testimonies about how the programme has transformed their lives and career aspirations.
To conclude the day’s activities, a friendly football match was held between the EACOP SLT and the Academy trainees. In a spirited and good-humoured contest, the students claimed a 1–0 victory, sparking cheers and applause from the crowd. The match served as a powerful moment of connection, highlighting the camaraderie and mutual respect between the trainees and EACOP leadership. Both teams left the pitch smiling, with handshakes and laughter marking the end of a memorable day.
The visit highlighted several important aspects: recognition of the Academy’s growing contribution to regional development; the real and meaningful impact it is having on the trainees; and the need for continued engagement. The day demonstrated clear institutional support and showed the Academy’s steady progress in preparing young professionals and encouraging collaboration across borders within East Africa’s energy sector.
The gallery was not found!
