TotalEnergies Exploration & Production Uganda has announced that more than 10,570 Ugandans are currently employed on the Tilenga oil development project, underscoring the company’s commitment to boosting local content and community participation.
According to the latest social performance update, Ugandans now account for 99.3 percent of the entire project workforce, a milestone that highlights growing national involvement in the country’s oil sector. Out of these, 3,719 employees about 35 percent are drawn from host districts including Buliisa, Nwoya, Pakwach, Hoima, Masindi, and Kikuube. Women represent 16 percent of the Ugandan hires, reflecting gradual but steady progress on gender inclusion.
Beyond jobs, TotalEnergies reports that more than 240 local companies are directly supplying goods and services to the project, ranging from catering and accommodation to engineering and construction works. Since 2021, procurement from host community suppliers alone is valued at over USD 31 million (UGX 118.9 billion).
The company has also invested heavily in skills development, channelling USD 10.8 million (UGX 39.5 billion) into vocational training, safety certifications, and technical upskilling. More than 1,600 Ugandans have benefited from specialized training in fields such as welding, scaffolding, quality inspection, and heavy goods vehicle driving.
On the resettlement and compensation front, TotalEnergies says all 5,576 project-affected persons have been compensated, with 235 modern housing units constructed and handed over to owners complete with land titles. Support has also extended to agriculture and livelihoods, over 4,500 households have received farming inputs, livestock, or vocational support, and more than 1,000 households have benefited from post-harvest equipment to boost value addition.
Officials note that these measures are designed to ensure that communities not only share in the benefits of oil production but also acquire lasting skills and livelihoods that outlive the project.
The Tilenga development is a flagship component of Uganda’s nascent oil industry, and the new employment and investment figures signal tangible returns for local communities as the project moves toward full operationalization.