Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO – UCMP
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have been urged to enhance their capabilities to benefit from the oil and gas sector and sustain operations beyond the first oil period.
John Walugembe, Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Uganda (FSME), emphasized this during an X Space event by the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) on July 18, part of the ongoing 90 Days of Oil and Gas Media campaign.
Walugembe encouraged members to improve their standards, supply chains, financial management, and address environmental, social, and governance issues.
He noted that some SMEs have benefited from capacity-building programs by the Stanbic Business Incubator and the African Development Bank, with more opportunities through the Industry Enhancement Centre funded by TotalEnergies. “We have seen small and progressive wins, but there is still a lot of work to do,” he said.
Tom Ayebare Rukundo, Manager of Economic & Financial Analysis at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, stressed the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in SME capacity-building to attract contracts from oil companies. He highlighted opportunities in transportation, security, food and beverages, accommodation, human resource management, office supplies, fuel supply, land surveying, crane hire, construction materials, and civil works.
Rukundo reported that Ugandan SMEs have already secured contracts worth US$1.7 billion out of a total US$7.9 billion in the oil and gas sector. Over 13,000 jobs have been created, with 90% filled by Ugandans, including 5,000 from host communities. He mentioned that SME capacity-building programs have reached 5,000 beneficiaries, with more expected in the future.
Humphrey Asiimwe, CEO of UCMP, stated that the sector’s opportunities favor companies that consistently demonstrate high standards.
Asiimwe assured ongoing engagement with the PAU, the Ministry of Energy, and other stakeholders to address issues like late payments, invoicing, standards, and high credit costs.
Data from the Uganda Investment Authority shows that approximately 1 million SMEs operate in Uganda, making up about 90% of the private sector and employing a significant portion of the workforce.
