The Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology, Department of Energy, Mineral, and Petroleum Studies, took part in the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Networking Forum.
The SPE Uganda Section hosted the SPE Networking Forum between the 22nd and 25th of March 2024 in Kampala under the theme “Advancing Uganda’s Energy Future and Talent with SPE.” Key activities for the Forum were the Students’ Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (SASTCE) that was held on 22nd March at Makerere University and the Networking Forum that was held on 25th March at Four Points by Sheraton.
Among other activities such as student paper contests and exhibitions, presentations from companies in the oil and gas industry (such as TotalEnergies, the SASTCE involved the SPE Petrobowl contest for both the National level (that is, Uganda) and Regional level (that is, Africa). The exceptional academic prowess of students from Mbarara University of Science and Technology shone brightly at the SASTCE. Their triumph in both the national and regional Petro Bowl championships is a testament to their dedication and expertise in the field. Securing victory over formidable opponents, including the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK chapter) in the national competition and Kenyatta University in the regional contest, these students demonstrated unparalleled knowledge and skill in the realm of Petroleum Engineering. Their remarkable achievement brought pride to the university. The SPE MUST PetroBowl team thus secured a slot at the PetroBowl World Championships to be held at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) in New Orleans, USA in October this year. The SPE MUST PetroBowl team comprises;
| Name | Position in the Team |
| Nasasira Ainebyona | Coach |
| Johnbaptist Eshana Kauta | Captain |
| Samuel Sarich | Member |
| Blessing Akankunda | Member |
| Belindah Nancy Kabahuma | Member |
| Jovin Okello | Member |
Faculty Advisor, SPE MUST Chapter, Mr. Patrick Kabanda, and the Chapter President, Johnbaptist Eshana Kauta represented MUST at the SPE Networking Forum.
The event was an excellent opportunity for SPE Professional Members to connect, share insights, and foster collaborations in the dynamic fields of Petroleum Engineering, Geoscience, Health and Safety, Projects Facilities and Construction, Energy Economics, and other related disciplines. Additionally, the forum was graced by a distinguished team of Delegates from SPE International, adding a global perspective to the discussions.
As a participant and panel discussant, Mr. Patrick Kabanda contributed to a panel discussion under the theme “The role of SPE in supporting sustainable development of Uganda’s Petroleum Industry” where he shared insights on the current and proposed future support of SPE, from an academic perspective, on the aspects of
- Knowledge Sharing for Industry Advancement;
- Professional Networking and Community Building;
- Supporting Local Content and Inclusivity; and
- Future Outlook and Opportunities.
Overall, MUST was recognized by the SPE Uganda Section for her outstanding representation of Uganda on the international stage, through events such as PetroBowl and the Education Week at the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC).
The SPE MUST Chapter has continued to showcase it’s brilliance in the Oil and Gas Industry with its credible footprint in excelling at events such as the ATCE through triumphing at the PetroBowl contests, representing the university and country at the international stage.
Succeed we Must