By BM
The Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Baker Hughes, a leading global energy technology firm, to boost technical capabilities and operationalize UNOC’s Center of Excellence for Research, Training, and Innovation.
The agreement, formalized on October 8 in Dubai, represents a significant step in UNOC’s journey to become a technically independent operator in Uganda’s oil and gas sector, aligned with its 2030 Strategic Ambition.
According to UNOC CEO Proscovia Nabbanja, the partnership would be instrumental in developing local capacity, enabling skills transfer, and fostering innovation.
She stated that the collaboration aligned UNOC’s strategic ambition with Baker Hughes’ extensive expertise in technology and service delivery.
Nabbanja added that it would help UNOC build strong technical capabilities, operationalize the Center of Excellence, and position the company to deliver high-quality services to the petroleum sector.
Baker Hughes, which operates in over 120 countries, brings decades of global experience in oilfield services, equipment, and digital solutions.
Mr. Hatem Salem, Geo Market Vice President for Sub-Saharan Africa at Baker Hughes, described the partnership as both timely and strategic.
He said that UNOC’s vision of creating value for generations aligned perfectly with Baker Hughes’ commitment to empowering local energy players through collaboration and technology-driven solutions.
The Center of Excellence is a flagship national initiative aimed at equipping Ugandans with technical skills to participate meaningfully in the oil and gas value chain.
The facility will serve as a hub for research, training, and innovation, helping reduce dependence on foreign expertise and promoting long-term energy self-sufficiency.
This collaboration also complements UNOC’s broader efforts across the petroleum value chain—from upstream exploration and production to midstream infrastructure development, including refineries and storage terminals, and downstream trading activities.
As Uganda moves closer to commercial oil production, the development of local talent and institutional capacity is seen as critical to ensuring that the country derives maximum value from its natural resources.
The partnership with Baker Hughes underscores the growing importance of international collaborations in building strong, resilient national oil companies capable of sustaining industry growth and economic transformation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
