Top-performing students in Hoima and Kikuube districts have been recognised under the 2026 Best Performers Awards (BPA), in a move aimed at strengthening academic excellence and supporting education in the Bunyoro sub-region.
CNOOC Uganda Limited organised the awards ceremony in Hoima City, bringing together local leaders, education officials, and industry stakeholders, including representatives from the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, as well as joint venture partners TotalEnergies and Uganda National Oil Company.
This year’s programme will benefit 300 top-performing learners selected from more than 40 schools across Hoima City, Hoima District and Kikuube District. A total of Shs73 million has been allocated for the awards, with beneficiaries selected in collaboration with district education offices to ensure transparency and merit.
The initiative builds on the 2025 programme, which also recognised 300 students for outstanding performance in national examinations. Organisers said the awards not only provide financial support but also motivate learners to pursue higher academic achievement.
The programme maintains an inclusive approach, with special consideration given to learners from host communities in the Kingfisher Development Area, including Buhuka parish and the sub-counties of Kyangwali, Kabwoya, Kabaale and Buseruka, as well as learners with disabilities.
Now in its 13th year, the Best Performers Awards programme has supported more than 1,700 students since its inception in 2013, contributing to a significant improvement in academic performance among participating schools, according to the company.
The initiative forms part of the company’s broader strategy to invest in human capital development, aligned with its vision of “Energy for a Better Future.”
Speaking at the event, Wang Jufeng, vice president of the company, said the programme is designed not only to reward excellence but also to inspire ambition among young people.
“Each beneficiary represents a future contributor to Uganda’s development, including in the oil and gas sector and other key industries,” he said.
Beyond education, the company has implemented several community investment programmes, including medical camps that have provided free healthcare to thousands of residents, support for sports through the CNOOC–Bunyoro Kitara Amasaza Cup, and infrastructure projects such as the Buhuka gravity water scheme.
Additional initiatives include support to schools and health facilities, sanitation and hygiene campaigns, road safety awareness, and vocational training programmes targeting youth and women. More than 1,000 young people have benefited from skills training in areas such as welding and heavy goods vehicle operation.
Hoima City mayor Brian Kaboyo, who officiated at the event, commended the company for its continued investment in education and community development.
The company said it will continue working with government and local stakeholders to support sustainable development, noting that education remains key to long-term socio-economic transformation.
