Hoima District — The Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, continued its high-level strategic tour of the Albertine region. On Day 2, the team focused on the backbone of Uganda’s petroleum logistics and production: Kabalega International Airport and the Kingfisher Development Area (KFDA).
The Gateway: Kabalega International Airport Guided by Eng. Micheal Okello, the MUST team explored the plans and rapid progress of Kabalega International Airport. As a critical piece of infrastructure for the oil and gas sector, the airport is designed to handle heavy cargo and international flights, serving as the logistical heartbeat of the region.
The delegation moved to the KFDA viewpoint, where they were received by experts from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), CNOOC, and the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC). From this vantage point, the technical briefings covered the Central Processing Facilities (CPF) and the intricate integration of the KFDA project.
Alumni in the Lead: A Proud Moment for MUST: A highlight of the day was the realization that the technical expertise driving these operations is homegrown. Two key engineers leading the technical briefings Eng. Asaph Mweheyo and Eng. Edwin Beeta are proud MUST alumni for the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology.
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Safety as a Foundation: Eng. Edwin Beeta, HSE Officer at COSL Uganda, emphasized that Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) protocols are the bedrock of every successful rig operation. “For us, operating safely and responsibly isn’t just a requirement it is a commitment to efficiency,” he noted.
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From Drilling to Production: Eng. Asaph Mweheyo explained the complex “completion operations” essential for transforming a drilled well into a safe production well. His work is a final technical hurdle as Uganda marches toward financial independence.
Ms. Ntegeka Florah, the Community Relations Coordinator, shared insights 
Community, Compensation, and Growth: Beyond the rigs, Ms. Ntegeka Florah, the Community Relations Coordinator, shared insights into the land acquisition processes and how the Bugoma community has directly benefited from the project through responsible compensation policies.
A Vice Chancellor’s Pride: For Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, seeing MUST graduates at the helm of such sophisticated engineering feats was the ultimate validation of the university’s mission.
“There is no greater pride for a Vice Chancellor than to stand on the front lines of national development and find your own students leading the way,” she remarked. “Seeing Asaph and Edwin applying the ‘world-class education’ they received at MUST to secure Uganda’s energy future is proof that our Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST) is producing the leaders the world needs today.”
Succeed we MUST
