TotalEnergies EP Uganda, in collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Chapter have convened over 300 young Ugandans at the second Youth in Energy Conference.
Held at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala under the theme, “Awareness to Action: Youth Shaping Uganda’s Energy Transition," the event aimed to empower youth to take an active role in driving Uganda’s transition to a more sustainable and inclusive energy future.
In her keynote address, Marieme-Sav Sow, Vice President of Engagement & Advocacy at TotalEnergies, highlighted the pivotal role of young people in leading this transformation.
“The current energy transition presents a generational opportunity to redefine development through inclusive and sustainable pathways.
With over 75% of the population under the age of 30, youth are not just stakeholders but architects of the future. Their involvement in clean energy innovation, policy advocacy, and entrepreneurship is essential to achieving goals such as universal energy access and climate resilience.”
The conference featured expert contributions from representatives of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), TotalEnergies EP Uganda, and the Makerere Innovation Hub.
Panelists discussed key areas including career pathways in energy, innovation ecosystems, and the policy frameworks shaping the nation’s energy transition.
"The future of Uganda’s energy sector rests on the shoulders of young people. As government, we are encouraged to see youth take part in shaping this transition from acquiring technical and soft skills to embracing innovation and entrepreneurship. Our commitment is to ensure that youth participation in the energy transition is inclusive, informed, and transformative," said Gloria Sebikari, the Corporate Affairs Manager, Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU).
Peter Muliisa, General Counsel, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) said youth must have skills to enable them participate in the country's energy transition.
“Uganda’s energy transition must address both energy poverty and economic poverty. We are developing our oil and gas resources responsibly with one of the lowest carbon emissions per barrel globally to ensure that our people benefit while protecting the environment. The youth must equip themselves with knowledge, engage in the dialogue, and take an active role in driving a just and sustainable transition," Muliisa said.
Officials said 2025 Youth in Energy Conference reaffirmed TotalEnergies EP Uganda’s commitment to aligning its energy transition agenda with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 7, and 8, which focus on quality education, affordable and clean energy, and decent work and economic growth.
The conference served as a dynamic platform for skills development, entrepreneurship, and policy engagement as it brought together a diverse network of university students, young entrepreneurs, innovators, sector experts, and policy influencers from across Uganda’s energy landscape.
Participants explored inclusive pathways for youth leadership, emphasizing that the future of Uganda’s energy sector is not only about technology, but also about empowering the next generation to lead with vision and purpose.
