Kampala, Uganda: In a country where over 75% of the population is under 30, Uganda’s young population is taking centre stage in redefining the country’s energy landscape, as hundreds of youth step forward to drive innovation, sustainability, and policy reform in the energy sector.
At the second Youth in Energy Conference held in Kampala last month, more than 300 young Ugandans gathered physically, alongside hundreds more online, to explore how Uganda can expand energy access while safeguarding the environment.
The conference, hosted by TotalEnergies EP Uganda in partnership with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Chapter, marked a milestone in youth participation in national energy dialogue, underscoring that young people are not just future leaders, but active agents of change in shaping Uganda’s energy transition.
Youth Engagement with Decision-Makers
Youth delegates directly interacted with officials from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), and Makerere Innovation Hub to discuss how education, entrepreneurship, and innovation can drive a locally rooted and inclusive energy transition.
Speakers emphasized that Uganda’s youthful population holds the key to unlocking clean energy solutions that balance economic growth with environmental protection.
Uganda faces a dual challenge: expanding reliable electricity access while reducing environmental impact. Millions of Ugandans remain without power, even as the country develops its oil and gas resources under a low-emission model, one of the lowest carbon intensities globally.
Energy experts at the conference stressed that Uganda’s energy transition must be just and context-driven, balancing industrialisation, rural electrification, and environmental stewardship.
Investing in Infrastructure and People
TotalEnergies EP Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to Uganda’s energy transformation through investments in clean power, local capacity, and technology.
The company is constructing two solar power plants with a combined capacity of 40 megawatts, while holding a 28% stake in the Bujagali Hydropower Plant, which supplies nearly a quarter of Uganda’s electricity.
To reduce reliance on biomass and improve air quality, the company is also developing an LPG facility in the Tilenga Upstream area, supporting Uganda’s push for cleaner energy.
Additionally, TotalEnergies is investing in electric mobility, establishing EV charging stations and battery-swapping hubs in urban areas to promote green transportation.
Beyond infrastructure, the company has invested heavily in talent development. Nearly 3,000 young Ugandans have benefited from education, training, and empowerment programmes, including the Tilenga Academy Training Programme, which has so far trained 200 youth locally and abroad in production operations.
Marieme-Sav Sow, Vice President for Engagement & Advocacy at TotalEnergies, highlighted Africa’s unique opportunity to drive a responsible energy transition powered by its youthful and innovative population.
“With over 75% of Ugandans under 30, the youth are not just stakeholders but the chief architects of the future,” she said. “Their ideas, leadership, and enterprise in clean energy innovation and policy advocacy are essential to achieving universal energy access and long-term competitiveness.”
A highlight of the event was a panel of young women professionals in the energy sector, who emphasized the importance of gender inclusion in leadership and technical roles. “We need more women in leadership positions. Our perspectives matter, and our skills are needed,” one panellist stated.
Conference resolutions called for collaborative innovation and youth-driven action to accelerate energy access and sustainability. Key recommendations included Innovation: Develop affordable, context-specific technologies such as solar-powered agro-processing and clean cooking solutions, Collaboration: Foster partnerships between universities, startups, and industry players, Advocacy: Champion policies that expand access to energy and incentivize low-emission solutions, and Leadership: Encourage youth participation in apprenticeships, internships, and research roles.
To date, TotalEnergies has invested over USD 700 million in Uganda, creating more than 10,000 jobs, one-third of which have gone to host communities. The company reiterated its commitment to supporting Uganda’s development and youth-driven energy transition.
“We’re not just the future; we’re the present,” one young delegate concluded. “And we’re preparing to lead.”
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