HOIMA, Uganda — CNOOC Uganda Limited today honored 300 top-performing students from Hoima City, Hoima District and Kikuube District during its 2025 Best Performers Awards ceremony at Hoima District Headquarters.

The annual initiative, implemented in partnership with District Education Offices, aims to promote academic excellence and support education in the Bunyoro Sub-region.

This year’s awards recognized 88 students from Hoima City, 86 from Hoima District and 126 from Kikuube District, including six students with disabilities. These students excelled in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) taken in 2024. They received cash prizes and certificates to acknowledge their achievements and encourage continued academic excellence.

The awards program aligns with CNOOC Uganda’s corporate mission of “Energy for a Better Future.” Since 2013, CNOOC Uganda Limited has supported 1,448 students through this initiative. The company’s broader education support includes donations of books, furniture and scholastic materials to schools, international scholarships and vocational training programs.

Karuhanga Esther Diana, an awarded student from Kikuube District, expressed her gratitude during the ceremony. “Standing here today feels like a dream come true. This award is more than just recognition — it is a powerful reminder that hard work is rewarded and that our future matters. I am deeply grateful to CNOOC Uganda Limited for believing in us and lighting the way forward with hope and opportunity,” she said.

Her sentiments were echoed by Stephen Semaganda, the Deputy Head Teacher of St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College. “The Best Performers Awards have significantly boosted students’ motivation to excel. We’ve seen a marked improvement in academic performance, with many students now advancing to higher levels of education. This has a lasting positive impact on the entire community,” Semaganda said.

Wang Jufeng, Vice President of CNOOC Uganda Limited, emphasized the program’s significance. “Through these awards, we invest in the youth who shape Uganda’s future. Our commitment to education is part of our broader responsibility to support sustainable community development,” Jufeng said.

In addition to education, CNOOC Uganda’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts extend to healthcare, such as organizing free medical camps; the annual CNOOC-Bunyoro Kitara Amasaza Cup; and economic empowerment initiatives, such as improved rice and millet farming. These initiatives particularly benefit youth and women in the Albertine region, helping to improve lives and foster inclusive growth.

Hon. Uthuman Mugisha Muburak, the LCV Chairperson for Hoima, appreciated CNOOC Uganda’s initiatives toward the socioeconomic development and empowerment of its operating communities through education, health, agricultural programs and capacity building of technical and soft skills. Mugisha, who was the chief guest, noted that the Best Performers’ Awards initiative has improved learners’ grades in the districts of Hoima, Kikuube and Hoima City by over 500% since inception, according to statistics from his education technical team. He pledged continued support to CNOOC Uganda in developing the oil and gas sector while extending immense opportunities to host communities.