HOIMA – The Public Service Commission (PSC) has concluded a Human Resource Audit in the Albertine oil region, part of efforts to prepare Uganda’s workforce for oil production expected in 2026.
The audit, undertaken in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, examined manpower gaps in the oil and gas sector and considered recruitment strategies to strengthen the local workforce ahead of first oil.
During the three-day working visit to oil sites in Hoima, Buliisa, and Kikuube districts, the Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Dr. John Geoffrey Mbabazi, said government has since the discovery of oil made deliberate efforts to build the necessary human resource capacity. He said Uganda cannot rely on expatriates forever and that government has strategically invested in training Ugandans in critical areas such as geology, engineering, and petroleum studies to ensure that with time Ugandans themselves take charge of the industry.
He explained that the Commission’s role was to identify where manpower gaps exist and to support recruitment and promotions in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, just as it previously did with the staffing of the Isimba and Karuma hydro-power dams. According to him, the audit was critical because Uganda’s oil and gas sector is not just about exploration but about sustaining production for decades, which requires a steady and skilled workforce.
Mr. Seith Muhumuza, who heads stakeholder management in the oil projects, said 95 percent of the current workforce in the Albertine oil region are Ugandans, both in skilled and semi-skilled roles. He said there are over 17,000 workers across the different oil projects, and more than 4,000 are from the Albertine region itself. He added that every foreign expatriate working on the projects had been required to train at least two Ugandan understudies to ensure continuity and reduce long-term dependence on foreign labour.
Among the Ugandans benefiting from the initiative is Mr. Joseph Oceger, a steel fixer at the Tilenga project in Buliisa District. Originally from Kumi District, Oceger said he had acquired practical expertise in steel fixing, lifting bars, and assembling structures. He noted that he now has the skills to work not only in the oil sector but also in other construction projects, describing his employment as empowering and a way to contribute to the country’s future.
The Acting Commissioner in the Midstream Petroleum Department at the Ministry of Energy, Eng. Dr. Geoffrey Ogwang, told officials during the visit that oil production would have a transformative impact on Uganda’s economy once it begins. He said first oil is expected by the end of June 2026, starting with about 230,000 barrels per day, and described it as a turning point for the economy. He added that oil revenues are expected to improve infrastructure, create jobs, and enhance service delivery, provided the resources are well managed.
Eng. Ogwang explained that some earlier challenges, including delays in road construction and mobilization of funds, had slowed progress but most of them had since been resolved, paving the way for steady advancement of the projects.
The delegation from the PSC and Ministry of Energy toured key oil infrastructure sites, including Pump Station One of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline in Nyamasoga Village, Kabaale Sub-County in Hoima District; the Kingfisher Development Area in Kikuube District; the Tilenga oil production area in Buliisa District; and Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District. The visits gave officials an opportunity to assess the progress of ongoing activities and interact with Ugandan workers directly involved in the projects.
Dr. Mbabazi noted that Uganda’s oil journey is not only about infrastructure but also about people, saying machines and rigs can be imported but the sustainability of the sector depends on Ugandans themselves. He said the audit would help guide future recruitment and that the PSC would continue engaging universities and technical institutions to align curricula with the skills required in the petroleum industry. From geologists and engineers to welders, technicians, and safety officers, he said all categories of manpower must be adequately prepared. He pointed to the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba and other institutions as key government investments in building this capacity.
Local communities in the Albertine region have also begun to feel the impact of the projects. Officials said more than 4,000 workers from the region are now employed in different capacities ranging from catering and logistics to construction and technical work. Muhumuza said beyond the numbers, the oil projects were changing livelihoods, with locals not only finding jobs but also getting trained to compete in national and international markets. He, however, noted that challenges remained, including gaps in technical skills and the need for continuous training to meet international industry standards.
With less than two years to first oil, officials said Uganda is racing against time to ensure both infrastructure and manpower are ready. Dr. Mbabazi said the PSC’s audit findings would be used to design recruitment plans that prioritize Ugandan workers while maintaining professional standards. He said oil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the country and that human resource development is at the heart of it.
By the end of the visit, officials expressed optimism that the oil sector will not only boost the national economy but also provide long-term employment and skills development for Ugandans. For many like Oceger and thousands of others in the Albertine region, the projects already represent more than just oil—they are about empowerment, skills, and the promise of a better future.
