Kyambogo University Receives Modern Well Control Demonstration Model Equipment from Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau (ZPEB) Uganda to Strengthen the Teaching of Oil and Gas Engineering

From left to right (front row): Ms. Rosette Komugisha (TEPU), Dr. Ivan Mukiibi (Lecturer Mak), Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe (VC-MaK), Mr. Yan Anyuan (Drilling Operations Manager – ZPEB), Dr. William Waansolo (KyU), and PAU representatives.

Kyambogo University has received a Well Control Demonstration Model from ZPEB Uganda, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the teaching and learning of Oil and Gas Engineering through practical, industry-oriented instruction. The handover ceremony, held on 5 August 2026 under the theme “Bridging Theory and Practice,” brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, and student organizations in a shared commitment to enhancing petroleum engineering education and developing Uganda’s future oil and gas workforce.

The demonstration model is expected to substantially improve the delivery of petroleum engineering courses by enabling lecturers to integrate classroom instruction with practical demonstrations of well control equipment and drilling operations. By providing a realistic representation of field equipment and operational processes, the model will bridge the gap between engineering theory and industrial practice, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of well control principles before progressing to field-based training.

Mr. Elvis Gario (ZPEB)

Speaking during the ceremony, Mr. Elvis Gario, National Content Manager at ZPEB Uganda, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to national content development and human capital growth within Uganda’s petroleum industry. He noted that more than 70% of ZPEB Uganda’s workforce comprises Ugandan professionals, reflecting the company’s deliberate investment in local talent. He further highlighted the company’s Graduate Trainee Programme, through which 51 graduate trainees have so far received professional training and industry exposure, demonstrating ZPEB Uganda’s continued commitment to developing the country’s next generation of petroleum professionals.

Mr. Yan Anyuan (Drilling Operations Manager – ZPEB

The Drilling Operations Manager of ZPEB Uganda, Mr. Yan, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting higher institutions of learning by providing practical training resources that complement classroom teaching. He observed that equipping universities with industry-relevant instructional facilities is essential for producing graduates with the technical competencies required to support Uganda’s expanding oil and gas industry.

PAU Representative giving her speech

Representing the Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), the National Content Manager PAU, underscored the importance of collaboration among institutions of higher learning in building national petroleum expertise. She encouraged stronger partnerships between universities and specialized petroleum training institutions, including the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), to facilitate the sharing of training facilities, expertise, and instructional resources, thereby broadening opportunities for practical learning and strengthening national capacity development.

Ms. Rosette Komugisha, TEPU

Speaking on behalf of TotalEnergies EP Uganda (TEPU), Ms. Rosette Komugisha, the National Content Lead, TEPU Uganda, highlighted several initiatives aimed at strengthening engineering education and academic capacity. She cited the Tilenga Train-the-Trainer Programme, which equips university lecturers with current industry knowledge and emerging technologies for integration into engineering curricula. She also highlighted opportunities for educational field visits and reaffirmed the collaboration between TotalEnergies EP Uganda and ZPEB Uganda in delivering internationally recognized well control training to support the development of highly skilled petroleum engineering graduates.

Mr. Yan (ZPEB) and Dr. Wanasolo (KyU) signing documents

Representing the Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, Dr. William Wanasolo, Head of the Department of Mining, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, expressed the University’s sincere appreciation to ZPEB Uganda for its continued partnership in advancing petroleum engineering education. He noted that ZPEB Uganda had initially supported students through classroom-based well control training and had now taken a further step by donating the Well Control Demonstration Model to strengthen practical teaching. He observed that the equipment will provide lecturers with an effective instructional platform for demonstrating fundamental drilling and well control operations while enriching students’ understanding of engineering concepts through practical visualization. He also commended the department’s academic staff for their continued dedication to preparing competent graduates capable of meeting the technical demands of Uganda’s growing oil and gas industry.

Dr. Justin Pidho, Lecturer KyU

Accompanying Dr. Wanasolo, Dr. Justin Jordan Pidho, Coordinator of the Oil and Gas Engineering Programme in the Department of Mining, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, described the donation as a transformative contribution to petroleum engineering education at Kyambogo University. As the lecturer responsible for teaching Well Control Engineering, one of the core courses in the Oil and Gas Engineering programme, Dr. Pidho explained that the demonstration model will facilitate the transition from predominantly theoretical and tutorial-based instruction to practical, demonstration-based learning. He noted that the model will enable lecturers to physically demonstrate the operation of critical well control equipment, including valves and pressure-control systems, allowing students to observe how these systems function and to relate engineering principles directly to actual drilling operations rather than relying solely on diagrams and abstract illustrations. He emphasized that this experiential approach will significantly improve students’ conceptual understanding, technical competence, and preparedness for industry practice. Dr. Pidho further expressed his appreciation to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda for its continued support in strengthening institutional capacity for petroleum engineering education, to TotalEnergies EP Uganda for its sustained contribution to building practical teaching and learning capacity within universities, and to ZPEB Uganda for donating equipment that will significantly enhance the delivery of the Well Control Engineering course and strengthen practical instruction within the Oil and Gas Engineering programme.

KyU Students giving speech

The ceremony also featured remarks from university leaders and student representatives from both Makerere University and Kyambogo University. Representing Kyambogo University were Ms. Ruth Nabanja, President of the Kyambogo Oil and Gas Students Association (KOGSA); Mr. Musimenta Peter Paul, Project Coordinator of KOGSA; and Ms. Rachel Mucho Kirabo, Vice President of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Kyambogo University Student Chapter. The student leaders expressed their appreciation to ZPEB Uganda and its partners for supporting engineering education and pledged to maximize the educational value of the Well Control Demonstration Model in advancing practical learning and professional development.

KyU Oil & Gas Students

Mr. Yan Anyuan demonstrates how the Well Control model works.

The donation of the Well Control Demonstration Model represents an important investment in strengthening institutional capacity for teaching Oil and Gas Engineering at Kyambogo University. By integrating practical demonstrations into classroom instruction, the equipment will enhance the quality of engineering education, enrich students’ learning experiences, and better prepare graduates with the technical knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies required to contribute effectively to Uganda’s growing petroleum industry. The initiative further exemplifies the value of sustained collaboration among government, industry, and academia in developing the skilled human capital needed to support the country’s oil and gas sector.