CNOOC Uganda Limited sponsored Kingfisher Bunyoro Youth engagement games, a month-long initiative aimed at promoting youth talent, fostering community mobilisation, and strengthening bonds across the Bunyoro region have ended.
The games, organised in partnership with the Bunyoro Kitara-Kingdom, were launched earlier this month under the theme “Building partnerships through sports for sustainable development.”
Throughout December, the games featured a total of 28 football matches, including 25 in the preliminary rounds and 3 in the finals.
Teams from 15 counties across eight districts that constitute Bunyoro Kitara-Kingdom-Kikuube, Hoima, Masindi, Buliisa, Kiryandongo, Kakumiro, Kibaale, and Kagadi participated, showcasing the region’s remarkable sporting talent and community spirit.
At the closing ceremony recently, Aminah Bukenya, the Head of Corporate Affairs at CNOOC Uganda Limited, said: “These games have demonstrated the unifying power of sports in bringing together diverse members of the Bunyoro community, stakeholders, and partners. Through this initiative, we have not only celebrated sporting excellence but also laid the foundation for sustainable development and strengthened community ties. CNOOC remains committed to building partnerships that foster dialogue and progress.”
Andrew Kirungi Byakutaaga, Prime Minister of the Bunyoro Kitara-Kingdom, said: “The initiative is about preparing our youth for future opportunities in the oil and gas sector and fostering unity within the host communities.”
Participants in the Youth engagement games were honoured with prestigious awards and generous cash prizes, recognising their talent, effort, and sportsmanship.
The awards were as follows:
Fourth place: Cash prize of sh500,000.
Third place: Bronze medals and cash prize of sh750,000.
Second place: Silver medals and cash prize of sh1m.
Winner: Gold medals, cash prize of sh1.5m and a bull worth sh2m.
CNOOC Uganda has been committed to community development since 2012, implementing various impactful initiatives that go beyond the oil and gas sector. These include:
CNOOC provides International Scholarships to China for outstanding students. This year, 218 students benefited from this program.
The company also rewards top-performing students in national exams through Best Performers Awards, promoting academic excellence.
Free medical camps have been organized in operational areas like Buhuka to deliver essential health services to underserved communities, ensuring greater access to healthcare.
Capacity Building: CNOOC conducts knowledge-sharing sessions, such as those at the International University of East Africa, to equip professionals with advanced skills in geological and reservoir modeling for the oil and gas sector. Additionally, over 1,000 youth have benefitted from CNOOC’s National Content Skilling Programs, which include “Train the Trainer” programs, ECTIB, and Heavy Goods and Welder Training.
Community Safety and Awareness: The Company conducts campaigns addressing HIV and syphilis testing, Mpox education, road safety, and human rights.
Environmental Stewardship: CNOOC prioritizes environmental sustainability, focusing on biodiversity and conservation efforts.
These initiatives reflect CNOOC Uganda’s commitment to holistic community development, ensuring both immediate and long-term socio-economic benefits for the Bunyoro region.
