China Pipeline Petroleum Company passes out 20 Ugandan welders for EACOP automatic welding works
Another beneficiary, Oyet Denis from Nwoya District, said the training had transformed him from an ordinary metal fabricator into a skilled professional capable of competing internationally.
By George Niyonzima
A total of 20 Ugandan youths have successfully completed advanced automatic welding training under the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, in a major boost to local participation in Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
The trainees graduated during the closing ceremony of the Ugandan Welders Training Programme 2026 held in Butiaba, where officials from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), EACOP, and China Pipeline Petroleum Company (CPP) commended the initiative for strengthening national content and skills development.
The training programme, sponsored by China Pipeline Petroleum Company (CPP), the contractor undertaking pipeline construction for EACOP, commenced on January 9 this year. Out of the 22 trainees enrolled, 20 successfully met the required standards in automatic welding skills for crude oil pipeline construction.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bagatya Matia, the National Content Deputy Manager at CPP, said the programme was designed to equip Ugandans with specialised welding expertise needed in the oil and gas industry.
“We trained them in automatic welding skills specifically for crude oil pipeline works. The trainees were selected from different oil and gas companies,” Bagatya said.
He added that the company intends to continue with the training programme and plans to further select the best 10 graduates for an “integrated destructive test training” aimed at enabling them assess the integrity and quality of their welding works.
“Besides the destructive test training, we have also scheduled trainers’ training beginning on the 18th of this month,” he noted.
Bagatya explained that the acquired welding skills can be applied beyond pipeline construction to other sectors such as petrochemical industries and oil refinery operations.
He reaffirmed CPP’s commitment to enhancing local content and ensuring meaningful participation of Ugandans in the country’s emerging oil and gas industry.
Oala Joshua, a National Content Officer at EACOP, said the programme enrolled 22 individuals who all completed the training successfully without any failures.
“At EACOP, we do not only focus on vocational skilling and training, but we also emphasize procurement of goods and services, technology transfer, and other key pillars of national content development,” Joshua said.
One of the beneficiaries, Rosemary Naija, applauded the sponsors for empowering Ugandans with advanced technical skills.
“This programme has enabled me to acquire advanced welding skills that will help me compete for employment opportunities at national level,” she said.
Naija, however, urged government to prioritise welding courses in public institutions, noting that welding remains one of the most demanded skills in the oil and gas sector.
Another beneficiary, Oyet Denis from Nwoya District, said the training had transformed him from an ordinary metal fabricator into a skilled professional capable of competing internationally.
“The training has elevated me from local metal works and fabrication to world-class welding standards,” he said.
Ainebyona Wilberforce, the National Content Officer at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), commended CPP and EACOP for investing in talent development and promoting Ugandan participation in the oil and gas industry.
During the ceremony, Ainebyona handed over certificates of participation to the graduates, marking the successful completion of the programme.
