Youth in the Bunyoro sub-region are calling on candidates running for parliamentary and local government positions to outline concrete strategies for promoting job opportunities in the emerging oil and gas industry. Despite registering their businesses on the National Supplier Database and being locally based, many young people feel they are being excluded from opportunities created by the discovery of oil and gas resources. They cite limited employment and scarce supply contracts as major frustrations.

The youth are urging candidates to focus on connecting them to commercial opportunities, improving access to procurement information, and ensuring they are considered for employment by oil companies and government agencies.

Mbabazi Talemwa, a youth from Kikuube, highlighted that “many young people have completed vocational training and are qualified for jobs in the sector, but are still being ignored due to unfair recruitment practices.” He stressed that candidates’ priority should be to advocate for avenues through which youth can secure employment or supply goods and services in the industry.

Joan Tuhaise from Bugana village, Buliisa Sub-county, explained that candidates should facilitate links between youth and oil and gas companies to ensure those with goods and services can participate in the sector. She added that “guidance on procurement processes” is essential, as many youths currently lack this knowledge. Charles Wandera from Hoima City noted that while youth are ready to work in the oil sector, they “lack connections to available opportunities” and urged candidates to serve as a bridge between youth, the government, and oil companies.

Irene Katusiime from Masindi pointed out that, despite nationwide training programs by oil companies and other organizations, youth have still not been considered for jobs in the sector. Similarly, Deo Tumwesige from Kagadi called on politicians to pressure oil companies and the government to provide special consideration to youth in the Bunyoro sub-region.

Political figures have also weighed in. Brian Kaboyo, Hoima City Mayor and candidate, called for regional leaders to unite in promoting youth employment in the sector. David Karubanga, Kigorobya County MP in Hoima district and a returning independent candidate, pledged that, if re-elected, MPs from the region would “have a united voice in advocating youth access to jobs in the oil and gas sector.” He appealed to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), and TotalEnergies to prioritize youth employment. The PAU has previously encouraged farmers and youth in the Bunyoro sub-region to form joint ventures (JVs) to supply goods and services to the oil sector.

According to PAU, many potential local suppliers struggle to deliver consistently due to limited capital and informal operations. Uganda’s national content laws require that goods and services supplied to the oil sector come from Ugandan companies. Joint ventures with foreign firms are allowed only when local suppliers cannot meet demand and must be approved by PAU and registered on the National Suppliers’ Database.

PAU evaluates joint ventures based on experience, financial and technical competence, active participation by all parties, and potential for skills transfer to Ugandans. Goods and services that can be sourced locally include transportation, security, food and beverages, hotel accommodation, human resource management, office supplies, fuel supply, land surveying, clearing and forwarding, crane hire, locally available construction materials, civil works, drilling and production materials, environmental studies, IT services, and waste management.

Operations in the Albertine region are currently ongoing, with TotalEnergies EP Uganda managing the Tilenga area and CNOOC Uganda Limited handling the Kingfisher area.