Muyingo launches a book with stories of beneficiaries of TotalEnergies’ Secondary School Education Scholarships at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
The government, through the State Minister for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, has credited TotalEnergies for contributing to Uganda’s journey towards Vision 2040.
Vision 2040 aims at transforming Uganda from a predominantly peasant and low-income country to a competitive upper middle-income country.
Under this, the education sector is responsible for delivering quality education, training, and sports services to all.
This, as TotalEnergies marks 10 years of sponsoring bright young people from the Albertine region to pursue science-related courses.
While delivering a speech at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Thursday, Muyingo said TotalEnergies is doing a contribution to Uganda Vision 2040.
The minister for higher education said that by focusing on STEM education, Uganda is on the right path to self-sustenance and development.
“We envision a future where Ugandan scientists are at the forefront of advancement, contributing not only to our nation’s development,” said Muyingo. “By investing in and promoting science education, we are laying the groundwork for empowering and skilling younger Ugandans to turn the country into an innovative and industrial hub where homegrown solutions address challenges in agriculture, energy, technology, and other sectors.”
According to Muyingo, “This education will enable Ugandans to drive entrepreneurship, industrialization, and technology advancement, higher productivity, and a resilient economy.”
Muyingo said that only a third of science researchers are women, emphasizing that STEM education for girls is a big step towards their empowerment.
He said, “Promoting STEM education for girls is not only empowering them to make better life choices but also to expand Uganda’s skilled workforce in the economy.”
Muyingo applauded TotalEnergies’s scholarship program that he said aligns with Uganda’s gender equity policy that provides critical opportunities for girls to pursue STEM careers.
“This is contributing to inclusive and equitable access to education, poverty reduction, increased skilled workforce, and improved welfare among families and communities.”
The minister pledged the government’s support to TotalEnergies to take its scholarship program forward.
Since 2013, TotalEnergies has supported over 1000 Ugandan students at O-level, A-level, vocational institutions, and universities with scholarships to help them further their education.
Philippe Groueix, the General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Uganda, said the company is not only about producing oil but also adding value to the people of Uganda.
“We are committed to supporting young Ugandans in their academic pursuits, ensuring that they are well-prepared to compete effectively for employment or to establish small and medium enterprises, thereby contributing to the development of their communities and the country,” Groueix said.
Joy Mubaale, the social director at TotalEnergies, said that sciences have a role to play in development. However, she noted that everyone has a role to play. This, she said, is the reason TotalEnergies has, for the last 10 years, supported young people in the Albertine region to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She pledged Totalenergies’ continued support towards the same.