There are moments in life that don’t just change your path, they ignite your purpose. For me, that moment was when I stood with my teammates, hearts racing, answering question after question in the 2023 National PetroBowl Championship in Uganda. We were up against six universities, all hungry for the crown. But we emerged victorious, becoming national champions—and earning the honor of representing Uganda on the African stage.
We came from the youngest university chapter in Uganda, less than a year old by then. We came from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, a place full of determined students, resourcefulness, and relentless spirit. Our victory was built on late nights, shared dreams, worn-out textbooks, and unshakable teamwork.
Ghana: The Beginning of Something Bigger
That national victory took us to the Africa Regional PetroBowl Competition in Ghana. Still relatively unknown, we arrived with passion and purpose and rose to the occasion. We placed second in all of Africa, securing a coveted place at the 2023 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) PetroBowl competition in the US.
Standing on the global PetroBowl stage, side by side with seasoned teams from the world's most advanced institutions, we gave it our all. We were eliminated by just five points—to our brilliant friends from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Five points. But that narrow margin became a symbol of something powerful: From anywhere in the world, you can stand toe to toe with the world’s best.
Dhahran: Where I Saw the Future
In 2024, another door opened. I was selected for the International Petroleum Technology Conference (IPTC) Education Week in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, together with Parvin Kyohirwe and Fosca Tumuhaise. That experience remains the best week of my life. It was a vibrant mix of learning, innovation, collaboration, and global connection. I met students from every corner of the world. I listened, I learned, I shared.
And then, a moment I’ll never forget at the conference: I was voted the Rising Star Award recipient by fellow students and senior professionals. That honor wasn’t just for me; it was for every young African chasing a dream. It wasn’t just an award. It was a sign: We are not just participants; we are future leaders.
Through these SPE activities, I have met mentors who continue to shape my journey including Riverson Oppong, SPE African Regional Director, Victor Ekpenyong who has on numerous occasions supported the PetroBowl teams in Uganda and Africa, and Temitope Oshuntuyi who is a mentor to all of us young energy leaders across Africa. They taught me that SPE and the PetroBowl competition was never just about points on a scoreboard. It was about legacy, networks, and lifting others as we rise.
From Competitor to Connector
When I finished my undergraduate degree in February 2024, I didn’t walk away, I stepped forward. I became a Student Liaison Officer for the SPE Uganda Section, working alongside the inspiring Macklyn Agaba and Gideon Kibirige.
Together, we’ve helped establish the PetroBowl Uganda competition as a notable student event in the oil and gas sector. Our efforts are making a difference, and our vision is drawing interest from both students and professionals.
I would like to recognize John Baptist Kauta, Jovin Okello, Juliet Alleluiah, and Oscar Azookire who are now working in the oil and gas industry of Uganda and are still volunteering with the Uganda section. We owe much to Patrick Kabanda, our faculty advisor and backbone of our journey, and to Kato Obadiah, who blazed the trail, organized, and laid the groundwork for the legacy we now build upon.
Kano, Nigeria: A Full-Circle Moment
In April 2025, the Africa Regional PetroBowl took place at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria. This time, I was not a competitor, but a leader and mentor. Watching Mbarara University qualify again, for the third consecutive time, was a moment of deep pride. It was a full-circle moment. A few years earlier, we were fighting for recognition. Now, we are building systems, mentoring teams, and creating a pipeline of leadership for all Ugandan universities. And we hope for success at the upcoming ATCE in Houston this October. I will be there cheering the team on.
A Message to Every Student
To every student reading this, especially from schools or communities where opportunity feels far away, hear me clearly: Your background is not your barrier. It is your fuel.
Get involved. Volunteer. Compete. Lead. Build. Dream.
SPE engagements are so much more than volunteering activities. It’s a catalyst. A passport. A launchpad. It has the power to shape your identity, ignite your career, and connect you to a global family of changemakers.
I began this journey as a hopeful student. Today, I stand as a builder of bridges, a mentor to many, and a firm believer in the unstoppable potential of Africa’s youth.
And if I could do it, so can you.
