CNOOC Uganda Limited has completed the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers Training and Licensing Program.
The program involved 110 drivers being trained, Licensed and certified to professionally drive Heavy Goods trucks and trailers (class CH License) or rigid trucks (class CM license) in accordance with the East African community curriculum.
The training was executed by Uganda Driving Standards Agency (UDSA) in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom (BKK) on behalf of CNOOC to meet the skills gaps in the logistics and transportation competencies especially in the oil and gas sector in Uganda.
The selection of trainees was undertaken in partnership with Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom that provided the training grounds and supported the identification and selection of trainees from 8 districts of Kikuube, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kibaale and Kagadi together with the contractor UDSA.
The partnership with the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom was also aimed at Community content
enhancement for potential beneficiaries from the Bunyoro Sub-Region that hosts the
Kingfisher Project.
The key objective of this training was to enhance Ugandan HGV drivers with required skills and support them to obtain required driving licenses (class CH license for truck and trailer or class CM license for rigid trucks) so that they are eligible for transportation and logistics related jobs in the oil and gas and other sectors.
“I wish to congratulate all the drivers upon successful completion of the training. We thank Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU) and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom, our key stakeholders for the
partnership during this training. We are optimistic that the training will enhance the knowledge and practice of professional driving in line with the international standards for HGV drivers," said Ma Peixin, the vice president of CNOOC Uganda Limited.
Ernest Rubondo, the Executive Director, PAU hailed CNOOC for skilling the Ugandan drivers.
“As we all know, safety is the cornerstone of our profession. Every day, you are entrusted with the responsibility of handling large vehicles, transporting goods, and ensuring the safety
of everyone on the road. Its not just about getting from point A to point B—its about doing so with care, precision, and a commitment to protecting yourself and others," Rubondo said.
Bunyoro Kitara Prime Minister, Andrew Byakutaga hailed the oil company for imparting employable skills into locals.
“We are grateful for the partnership between CNOOC Uganda Limited and Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom and we look forward to more opportunities of working together. We want our people to be skilled enough so that we can gain from the oil and gas resource."
Asraf Bagada, a graduate trainee thanked CNOOC Uganda Limited for the support rendered to them which has enabled them acquire hands on key skills like defensive driving, proper road usage, flexible and smooth acceleration, driver discipline among others.
"We feel that we are ready to tap into the HG jobs that oil and gas bring forth. The three months program has provided an interactive forum for us to share, explore and discuss concepts and issues of heavy goods driving and road safety."
