Uganda’s oil and gas industry recently welcomed a high-profile visit from Dr. Riverson Oppong, the Africa Regional Director (ARD) of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Dr. Oppong engaged with key industry stakeholders, shared his inspiring vision for SPE, and participated in events that celebrated Uganda’s growing prominence in the oil and gas sector. Here’s a detailed recap of this remarkable visit.
Dr. Oppong kicked off his visit on 25 November 2024 with a courtesy visit to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) where he met with Executive Director Ernest Rubondo to discuss opportunities for strategic collaboration and technical capacity building. At CNOOC International Uganda Ltd., the delegation held discussions with Vice President Mr. Hu Weijie, focusing on shared HR objectives and advancing technical competencies within the industry. Meanwhile, the visit to Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) included discussions with Mr. Philips Obita, UNOC’s General Manager of Upstream, emphasizing partnerships to bolster SPE’s outreach and support the growth of Uganda’s oil and gas sector.
On 26 November, Dr. Oppong participated in the 9th Uganda International Oil and Gas Summit (UIOGS), themed “Oil & Gas as a Driver for Regional and National Economic Growth.” Moderating a vibrant panel discussion, Dr. Oppong and the panelists explored how Uganda’s oil sector could catalyze GDP growth, create employment opportunities, and fund critical development projects like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The discussion also highlighted the potential of oil revenues to serve as a foundation for economic diversification into sectors such as manufacturing, transport, and renewable energy. The session emphasized the need for cross-border collaboration, capacity building, and strategic investments to ensure shared prosperity and mitigate resource dependency.
On 27 November, the SPE delegation paid a courtesy visit to TotalEnergies EP Uganda, where they were warmly received by the Country Director and team. The discussions centered on advancing technical knowledge-sharing initiatives, including webinars led by TotalEnergies experts, and mentorship programs aimed at supporting young professionals in Uganda’s energy sector. Philippe Groueix, the General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to sustainable energy development and nurturing the next generation of engineers.
The highlight of the day was the Professional Townhall held at CNOOC Uganda, where seasoned experts and young professionals gathered to exchange ideas on Uganda’s oil and gas future. Organized by the SPE Uganda Section, the event featured a keynote speech from Dr. Oppong, who encouraged members to embrace active participation and volunteerism as a means of truly belonging to the SPE community. The evening also included a networking dinner that fostered collaboration and camaraderie among industry leaders and budding engineers. Dr. Oppong expressed pride in the SPE Mbarara University of Science and Technology Student Chapter, celebrating its growing international reputation as a standout student initiative.
Throughout the week, Dr. Oppong highlighted the value of paid and active SPE memberships. His humorous observation that being on an SPE WhatsApp group does not make someone a member inspired many attendees to renew their memberships and recruit others to join.
Dr. Oppong’s visit concluded with an exciting announcement of his return to Uganda for the SASTCE MUST Event in March 2025. Under his guidance, the SPE Uganda Section is poised to deepen its impact, foster innovation, and contribute to sustainable energy solutions for the region. Stay tuned for more updates and events that support Uganda’s energy future!
