Oil firms urged to invest in schools as Hoima, Kikuube top students rewarded

HOIMA - Leaders in oil and gas-rich districts have urged companies operating in the region to support the government in improving school infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment for rural children.

Vicente Opia, the Kikuube district vice chairperson, said there is a need for oil companies to focus on supporting local government in the construction of classrooms, staff quarters and other facilities.

He made the call at the China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) Best Performers Award 2026 ceremony held at HB Hotel in Hoima city on April 14, 2026.

CNOOC Uganda, an oil and gas company developing the Kingfisher oil field in Buhuka parish, Kyagwali subcounty, Kikuube district, recognised and awarded 300 top performers from Hoima and Kikuube districts in the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with sh73,050,000 under its corporate social responsibility programme, code-named ‘CNOOC Best Performers Award’.

Opia said most areas in the district, especially CNOOC’s operational area of Buhuka, lack a secondary school, and, as a result, pupils who complete Primary Seven do not continue with their education since many parents cannot afford to send their children to distant schools.

He said that if CNOOC could support the construction of a secondary school in the area, many children from poor families would have a chance to attain higher education.

He added that most government-aided primary schools lack structures such as classrooms, staff quarters and textbooks, while others face a shortage of teachers, which affects learning and performance.

He challenged CNOOC managers to develop strategies to address these gaps and promote better performance among learners in government schools.

"These awards are good because they encourage our children to study hard, but we need more strategies to improve on schools’ infrastructure and other challenges affecting our schools so that even the rural children can benefit from such awards."

He noted that most top-performing candidates come from well-to-do families who can afford expensive private schools.

Wang Jufeng, vice president of CNOOC Uganda, said the awards programme started in 2013 to promote education in areas of operation, with 1,748 students having benefited so far.

He said the company will continue supporting more students as oil development progresses, noting that performance has improved since the initiative began.

He added that the programme aligns with CNOOC Uganda Limited’s vision of “Energy for a Better Future” and contributes to talent development by investing in human capital.

“CNOOC Uganda continues to implement a wide range of Community investment and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. These include annual medical camps that have provided free healthcare services to over 4,000 community members, vocational training programs targeting youth and women, support to schools and health facilities and road safety awareness, among others initiative he said.

Speaking as chief guest, Brian Kaboyo, the Hoima city mayor, expressed appreciation to the company for its continued collaboration and support, particularly in education and health.

He said that since oil development activities began, the region has made progress in road infrastructure, job creation and the construction of Kabalega International Airport.

However, he urged oil and gas companies to continue supporting education as a way of preparing citizens for opportunities in the sector.

Samuel Mugisa, the social affairs officer at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, commended CNOOC for prioritising education, noting the need for a skilled and innovative generation as the country advances its oil and gas sector.