CNOOC awards Shs44m to best performing students in Bunyoro

Chinese oil and gas company, CNOOC Uganda has awarded shs44 million to 218 top performing students from Hoima and Kikuube district of Bunyoro sub-region.

The award is part of CNOOC best performers awards initiative started in collaboration with the district education offices aimed at  promoting academic excellence and support education in Bunyoro .

This year, 78 students from Hoima City, 70  from Hoima District, 70 from Kikuube District who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) in 2023 were celebrated.

Of these 16 students with disabilities were recognized for their resilience and achievements and received cash prizes and certificates, providing encouragement for their continued academic journey and inspiring future scholars.

According to officials from CNOOC, the company has since 2013 support 930 students by rewarding academic excellence and easing education costs in alignment with China’s commitment to Africa’s development through education, infrastructure, and sustainable growth.

They said the initiative is in line with CNOOC Uganda’s  vision of energy for a better future  and to this, other education support programs include donations to schools to improve learning facilities like the USD500,000 donation to Entebbe welfare school, international scholarships, support to school through scholastic materials among others.

“As CNOOC Uganda Limited, we share a broader commitment to fostering education and development. Through this initiative, we invest not only in Uganda’s future but also align with the vision of stronger cooperation as set forth during FOCAC,” said Aminah Bukenya, the acting head of corporate affairs department at CNOOC Uganda.

Kikuube LC5 chairman, Vincent Alpher Opio, the Vice Chairperson, Kikuube District applauded  CNOOC Uganda Limited for being consistent with the educational programme of motivating the learners.

“The best performing awards initiative has helped improve competition in schools and eventually improved performance of learners. I would also like to thank CNOOC for the infrastructure and health support such as the medical camps.

The District Education Officer for  Kikuube, Deogratius Byakagaba applauded CNOOC Uganda for the initiative that he said has motivated learners to worker harder and consequently, improved results at PLE, UCE and UACE levels.

Darius Opio, a senior five student at St.Andrea Kaahwa’s College in Hoima, a beneficiary, hailed the oil and gas company for the initiative that he said motivates learners.

“The initiative further fuels our determination to go an extra mile to attain success. Whereas there are many brilliant students out there, but due to lack of funds, many wouldn’t be able to continue with education had not been for this initiative,” Opio said.

“ This initiative is the fuel that has kept many of us going as we aspire to keep our dream valid.”

He asked that the program is widened to benefit more students.