KAMPAL, Uganda : As Uganda inches closer to its long-awaited first oil, a powerful message echoed through the 11th Annual Oil and Gas Convention: the future of the sector will be digital. MTN Uganda’s leading Technology Company has demonstrated its readiness to further support the sector through its cutting edge TechCo and FinCo services.
Held under the theme “First Oil, Fulfilling the Promise, Forging the Future,” the two-day gathering that was held at the Speke Resort – Munyonyo, drew hundreds of global delegates to Kampala, highlighting rising international interest in Uganda’s oil and gas prospects.
The convention was officially opened by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, who called for stronger collaboration and innovation to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
While presiding over the convention’s opening ceremony yesterday, Hon Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development highlighted that:
“With the first oil just months away, decades of preparation are becoming reality. This convention is a platform to forge partnerships, secure contracts and position businesses for the next phase of Uganda’s petroleum journey.”
Stakeholders, led by Humphrey Asiimwe, the Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Chamber of Commerce and Minerals, emphasized that digitisation is no longer optional; it’s essential.
“Efficient operations, real-time decision-making, and secure financial flows will define which players succeed in a fast-evolving global energy landscape,” said Asiimwe.
MTN Uganda positioned digitisation as the backbone of Uganda’s oil and gas success story. The message was clear: Uganda’s oil future won’t just rely on pipelines and rigs. it will run on data, connectivity, and digital platforms.
In a keynote that set the tone for the conference, Sylvia Mulinge, MTN Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer, made a compelling case for digital transformation:
“Digitisation creates an ecosystem where all operations are interconnected, data-driven, and seamlessly integrated, enabling real-time decision-making, improved efficiency, enhanced customer experiences, and scalable growth across the value chain.”
MTN didn’t just talk strategy, it showcased it. During a high-level panel discussion, the company demonstrated how its TechCo and Fintech solutions are already reshaping how oil and gas players operate.
Mulinge further noted that the integration of predictive maintenance, AI-driven security cameras, and high-security data storage ensures that operations are efficient, downtime is minimized, and sensitive information is protected.
From smart monitoring systems in upstream exploration to digital logistics in midstream operations, and mobile financial services powering downstream distribution, MTN is building an integrated ecosystem comprising of connected operations, secure systems and instant payments, designed to eliminate inefficiencies and improve transparency across the value chain.
MTN’s growing role signals a shift in how the sector is being built from the ground up, with technology embedded at every stage.
As discussions wrapped up, one theme stood out: the digitisation of oil and gas could ripple far beyond the sector itself. By enabling smarter operations and financial inclusion, companies like MTN are laying the groundwork for broader economic transformation.
For Uganda, first oil is no longer just about extraction. it’s about execution. And if the momentum at this year’s convention is anything to go by, the country is betting big on digital to deliver on its promise.
