Ugandans prepare for oil jobs - expert

The discovery of oil in Uganda is to immensely change the economies of the regional powers. Many jobs are expected from the sector . However in Uganda, very many citizens do not know how whether the oil money will reach their pockets. Quest Energy - an oil and gas consulting firm - recently launched a training programme to raise awareness among Ugandans on how to tap into the money. The Daily Monitor’s Stephen Otage caught up with Mr Patrick Ruharuza the company’s Chief Executive Officer

What are objectives of Quest Energy in this training programme?
This is an oil and gas consulting company. We are here to provide a realistic option for Ugandans to learn the entire value chain of the oil and gas industry from a very exclusively well placed team of experts working in Uganda and abroad. We are currently running a programme on oil and gas essentials with Makerere University Business School.

Who are the beneficiaries of this programme?
People from the civil service, private sector, political class and everybody should have an understanding of the global operations of the oil and gas industry because oil prices are affected by several factors. It is important to have people manning desks with an understanding of the industry so that they can make right decisions.

Why is it important for Ugandans to have knowledge of the industry?
The basics of the oil and gas industry provide measures for managing expectations. Ugandans need to know from the economic perspective the resource management to avoid mistakes other countries make. Training empowers decision makers not to take decisions which will kill the industry.
The industry will have wide reaching impact on farmers, businessmen, communities and key sectors like agriculture, trade and industry.

Specifically what is there to benefit Ugandans from the training?
After the training, Ugandans will be able to invest rightly in preparation for the new oil and gas sector which has far reaching effects linked with every sector of the economy; when Uganda is in full production. The infrastructure will be improved as well.
How genuine is this training?
The problem we have with our people is that for certificates from foreign Universities. Previously we did not have capacity but Uganda has developed a critical mass of people who know the subjects. We have quality assurance structures to legitimise the certificates.