At just 24, Simon Mungudit is set to graduate from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production, finishing with an outstanding cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.76.
The university’s 76th graduation ceremony, scheduled for later this month, will single out Mungudit as the overall best male science student, a distinction that places him among Makerere’s most exceptional recent graduates. He is a finalist from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS).
Born in Nebbi District in the West Nile region, Mungudit is the son of Mr Owor Thomas, a game ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority stationed at Murchison Falls National Park, and Ms Lilly Obewun Grace of Akuru Bridge Village in Nyaravur Sub-County.
His academic journey showed early promise at Karuma Primary School, where he earned 12 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations.
He later posted 14 aggregates at O’ Level from St Daniel Comboni College, Nebbi, before completing his A’ Level studies at Namilyango College. There, offering Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, he scored 19 points.
These results secured him government sponsorship to pursue petroleum geoscience at Makerere University. As an undergraduate, Mungudit developed a strong interest in reservoir engineering, petrophysics and drilling—core pillars of contemporary energy systems.
Mungudit credits his academic success to discipline, consistent mentorship and collaborative peer learning. He also acknowledges the vital support of his parents and TotalEnergies, which fully financed his A’ Level education.
At Makerere, he benefited from close academic supervision, particularly under Dr Arthur Batte, Head of the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, who regards him as both humble and exceptionally intelligent.
His university life extended well beyond the classroom. Mungudit led the team that won the 2024 AAPG Reservoir Modelling Challenge at Makerere University and finished First Runner-Up in the SPE Petro Bowl competitions in both 2023 and 2025.
He also took on leadership responsibilities within the Society of Petroleum Engineers, playing a key role in organising student–industry engagements.
Industrial training stints with TotalEnergies and the Uganda National Oil Company further sharpened his skills in exploration and seismic data acquisition.
Currently serving as Special Projects Coordinator for the SPE Uganda Section Student Liaison Committee, Mungudit aims to pursue a career as an upstream oil and gas geoscientist, alongside advancing his studies in petroleum engineering.
