Ugandan youth rallies for a stake in the country’s energy future

With over 75% of its population under the age of 30, Uganda’s young people are crucial factors in the country’s economic trajectory. Recognising the need to harness this potential, TotalEnergies, in partnership with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, convened a youth engagement forum to discuss how young Ugandans can play a greater role in the country’s evolving energy landscape. The second in the series, this year’s “Youth in Energy” conference, held under the theme “Awareness to Action: Youth Shaping Uganda’s Energy Transition,” brought together over 300 students, academia and industry stakeholders to exchange insights on skills development, innovation and participation in the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, and close to 500 people connected live. 

In her keynote address Marième-Sav Sow, Vice President for engagement and advocacy at TotalEnergies EP Africa, challenged young Africans to claim their place at the decision-making tables where the continent’s energy future will be shaped, stressing that those who will live with the consequences of today’s choices must also be part of designing them. “We cannot let the future be designed by those who won’t live in it,” she said, urging youth to bring their creativity, courage and ideas into enterprise, policy and innovation for a just energy transition.

Sow argued that Africa’s pathway to carbon neutrality must be guided by fairness and in cognisance of the continent’s particular circumstances. While the continent contributes least to global emissions, it faces the harshest impacts of climate change. She called this a “generational opportunity to redefine development,” insisting that Africa has the sovereign right to use its natural resources responsibly to power schools, hospitals and industries while pursuing renewable solutions. She said that Uganda’s youth are not just stakeholders but “chief architects” of the continent’s sustainable energy future.

Pioneers of progress

Underscoring TotalEnergies’ role as a partner in this transition, Sow pointed to initiatives such as the Tilenga training academy, which has equipped hundreds of young Ugandans with internationally recognised technical skills and investments in solar photovoltaics, hydropower, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and e-mobility. She praised young Ugandans for the contributions they are already making, calling them “pioneers” of progress and urged young women in particular to master their craft, seek mentors and lead with confidence. 

Speaking during a panel discussion, Esther Ninsiima, a geologist at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, highlighted government efforts to prepare young Ugandans to participate in the country’s oil and gas industry ahead of first oil in 2026. “As a government, we are looking at how to empower the youth now to move beyond the first oil into the production phase and later on,” she said. 

Clean energy with realism

Speaking on the country’s energy future, Peter Muliisa, Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer at the Uganda National Oil Company, explained that while the global shift to clean energy is inevitable, it must be approached with realism and planning. “If you flipped the energy mix today from 83% petroleum, civilisation as we know it would collapse,” he said, cautioning that the transition to renewables requires time, coordination and technological advancement. Muliisa called on youth to engage meaningfully with the process, “to contribute to it, or to challenge it,” as Uganda defines its own energy transition pathway in alignment with global climate goals.

Muliisa outlined Uganda’s rationale for developing its petroleum resources despite international scrutiny, stressing that the country’s approach is rooted in economic necessity and energy justice. “Uganda is economically poor and energy poor, and we must address those two points of poverty with every resource available to us,” he said. 

He stressed that Uganda’s oil development is being done “responsibly,” guided by policies and laws that minimise emissions and ensure environmental integrity. According to him, Uganda’s crude oil projects rank among the lowest in the world in carbon intensity, with only 13.3 kg of carbon dioxide emitted per barrel produced, the second-lowest globally. “We are showing the world that you can develop your resources to develop your people, but do it in a manner that is responsible,” he said.

Muliisa also detailed efforts to further reduce emissions through tree planting, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) promotion and clean cooking programmes to reduce deforestation. He praised young Ugandans for their role in defending the country’s right to responsibly develop its resources amid global criticism. “There was a lot of misinformation,” he recalled, “but we must continue to equip the youth with knowledge so they address these issues from a point of understanding.” 

Zion Okama, head of renewable energies initiatives at TotalEnergies EP Uganda, urged the youth to take a proactive interest in understanding Uganda’s energy transition plan, noting that awareness of such policy frameworks can help them identify where to position themselves for future opportunities. “Some of this information may not be well known, but the youth also need to be inquisitive for knowledge,” he said. 

He cited the Bujagali hydropower plant, in which TotalEnergies now holds a 28% stake, as a model of local participation in renewable energy operations. 

The facility, which produces 250 MW of clean power, has been run almost entirely by Ugandans for the past 15 years. “These Ugandans were trained locally and have built their expertise in-country,” Okama noted, calling this a clear demonstration that “there are real jobs in renewables in Uganda.”

Okama announced that TotalEnergies is developing 40 MW of solar projects, set to begin construction next year, creating jobs for youth in various technical trades.

Encouraging young people to prepare for such roles, he pointed to the solar technician certification programme at Makerere University as an example of the kind of training that would give them an advantage. 

“Yes, there are opportunities for the youth in employment and career development,” he said, “but you must make sure you are ready when these opportunities materialise.”

Collaboration is key to advancing youth participation

Justina Erastus, Convener of the Youth Oil and Gas Summit in Namibia, said collaboration is key to advancing youth participation and capacity building in the energy sector. Drawing parallels between Namibia and Uganda, she noted that the two countries share similar energy journeys and demographic profiles and therefore have much to learn from each other. 

Strategic partnerships

“What Uganda has successfully been good at, Namibia can learn from,” she said, calling for strategic partnerships between universities, national oil companies and youth-led organisations. She underlined that such collaborations promote skills transfer, mentorship and investment, ultimately strengthening local expertise and aligning both countries with global best practices. 

Erastus encouraged the youth to innovate, excel and persevere. “The best way to get into the room is to knock on the door and not wait for the opportunity to come to you,” she said, urging young people to identify problems in their communities and solve them creatively. 

Speaking during a second panel discussion, Sandra Kirenga, partnership and programme coordinator at the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, argued that Uganda’s energy transition is not merely an environmental imperative but a means to economic transformation, industrialisation and climate resilience. 

Active players

Gideon Kibirige, Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (Uganda), pointed to the winners of TotalEnergies’ recent hackathon, young engineers and geologists who developed smart grid and IoT-based energy monitoring solutions for electric vehicle charging. 

“Your friends are doing solar microgrids; they’re creating IoT [internet of things] systems,” he said. “You can also create your own space; you don’t have to wait for someone to give you the microphone.”

He also emphasised the power of networking and engagement, urging students to attend conferences, join professional clubs and contribute to policy discussions. “You have a voice,” he said. “When there is public participation, speak.” 

Michael Musinguzi, Lead Generation Specialist at Q-Sourcing Servtec Group, reminded the audience that the energy sector does not require only engineers. “There are roles in procurement, administration, logistics and hospitality.” He pointed to how oil and gas projects have catalysed growth in other sectors, from sports facilities and hotels to construction and energy management. 

From the floor: concerns included access to jobs

Responding to the speakers, the young people raised issues such as the mismatch between academic learning and employability, particularly the demand for years of experience even for entry-level roles. They called for earlier exposure to internships and practical training within degree programmes to bridge this gap. 

Several questioners also addressed challenges around innovation, including limited access to equipment and the slow pace at which student innovations reach the market. 

Others highlighted the need for intellectual property protection and equal opportunities for students from non-engineering backgrounds to contribute to the oil and gas sector. 

Broader concerns were also expressed on environmental and human rights implications of energy projects, the sustainability of solar infrastructure and the growing need for cybersecurity skills.

Ensuring the next generation is properly prepared

Ultimately, the success of the event’s mantra, “Awareness to Action” underscored a powerful truth: Uganda’s energy transition must be driven from within. 

Young participants showed they are not only aware of the stakes but ready to act. Their message was clear – this transition won’t be imported; it will be built in Uganda, by Ugandans.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. The youth called for concrete steps to bridge the gap between academic training and industry expectations. 

They highlighted the urgent need for internships and stronger collaboration between universities, companies, and government to ensure they’re equipped to lead in both oil and renewable energy sectors.

This is not just a question of energy sources, it’s about empowering the next generation to shape the future, not watch from the sidelines.