Nkumba University is among three Ugandan institutions that have received a significant technological boost aimed at advancing oil and gas education, following a donation of specialized software and computer hardware from TotalEnergies EP Uganda and SLB.
The handover, held on Wednesday, 11th June 2025, also benefited Makerere University and Kyambogo University, and is part of a broader initiative by the two companies to strengthen academic institutions’ capacity to train highly skilled professionals for Uganda’s emerging oil and gas industry.
“This invaluable contribution marks a significant milestone in our university’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation,” said Prof. Jude T. Lubega, Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University, while moving a vote of thanks at the handover ceremony. “The equipment will elevate teaching quality, enrich practical learning, and connect theoretical knowledge with real-world application.”
Each of the three institutions received eight high-performance computer hardware stations, comprising eight tower servers, sixteen monitors, and other peripherals. The total donation is valued at over USD 200,000 (approximately UGX 770 million).
Additionally, SLB (formerly Schlumberger) provided four specialized training software licenses—Petrel™, Techlog, Eclipse™, and Petromod, which have been installed and configured on each workstation. The platforms are widely used in global petroleum exploration and production and are expected to significantly enrich petroleum geoscience and engineering education at Nkumba and the partner institutions.
“By donating four of our industry-leading software platforms, we are bridging the gap between classroom theory and field application,” said Valerian Pfrimmer, SLB’s Managing Director for East and South Africa. “These platforms cover the full spectrum of exploration and production and are essential to real-world operations. They not only enhance petroleum geoscience and engineering education but also serve as strategic enablers for national development.”
TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s General Manager, Mr. Philippe Groueix, reiterated the company’s commitment to skilling Uganda’s workforce through partnerships with academic institutions.
“Over the years, we have placed great emphasis on supporting educational institutions in Uganda such as UPIK, Makerere, and Kyambogo Universities to develop the capacities required to train more Ugandans in oil and gas disciplines,” he said.
“Today’s handover is aimed at augmenting this support in line with our commitments to national content development and youth inclusion and education,” Mr. Groueix added. “Currently, over 1,500 Ugandans have been trained in various transferable technical skills with international certifications that enhance their employability in Uganda and abroad.”
SLB also committed to conducting training sessions for university users in July 2025 to ensure the effective use of the donated tools. The company will continue to renew the software licenses annually, ensuring sustainability of the intervention.
The handover was attended by representatives from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, including Betty Namubiru, Manager of National Content, who represented the Executive Director. The ceremony was also witnessed by joint venture partners: CNOOC, Uganda National Oil Company, and EACOP Ltd.
The initiative complements other education and training programmes spearheaded by TotalEnergies EP Uganda, including the Tilenga Academy, the Train the Trainer programme, the Makerere Emergency Medicine Simulation Training Centre (established in 2023), as well as internship and graduate trainee programmes, scholarships, and support for the refurbishment of the Makerere Ivory Tower auditorium.
The intervention aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education and strengthens the companies’ national commitments to capacity building and support for Uganda’s education sector.
For Nkumba University, the donation marks a leap forward in its quest to produce industry-ready graduates, particularly in the oil and gas disciplines that are fast becoming pivotal to Uganda’s economic transformation.
