EACOP’s technical training empowering women in East Africa

What the report says

The Independent Uganda reports that the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is using its technical training programmes to expand opportunities for women in Uganda and Tanzania, especially in trades that have traditionally been dominated by men. The article says women are training alongside male participants in areas such as welding, rigging, mechanical maintenance, non-destructive testing, and heavy equipment operation, with the aim of meeting the same industry standards and earning recognized certifications.

According to the report, the initiative is linked to EACOP’s broader local-content strategy, which is intended to keep more economic benefits of the oil and gas project within host countries. The company is working with institutions including the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba and vocational colleges in Tanzania, alongside its academy and contractors, to build practical skills for project work and for future employment beyond the pipeline itself.

The story says the training is visible at sites in Buliisa, Hoima, Sembabule, and Tanga, where women now make up a notable share of specialized technical trainees. It also says EACOP has introduced gender-focused measures such as targeted recruitment, mentoring, and more suitable workplace facilities to reduce barriers for women.

The report frames the effort as significant because it could widen access to skilled jobs, support household incomes, and create a longer-term pool of certified technicians for other industrial and energy projects in East Africa. It presents the training as part of a gradual shift in attitudes toward women in technical fields.