Mr. Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, is appreciated by MUBS Council Vice Chairperson Mr. James Mwesigwa, as Principal Prof. Moses Muhwezi and Prof. Vincent Bagire look on
September 26,2025-The final day of the 29th Annual International Management Conference hosted by Makerere University Business School, featured a high-level Business Forum Day. This strategic platform brought together academics, industry practitioners, policymakers, and students to discuss current and emerging issues in business and management, with a key focus on employability in Africa.
Delivering the Keynote Address was Mr. Ernest Rubondo, Executive Director of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, who spoke on the topic: “The Future of Work: Developments in the Oil and Gas Sector and Employability in Africa.” He encouraged the youth to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the oil and gas industry, which is becoming a key sector in the region’s economic development. “Africa’s future is powered by its youth, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in Uganda , one of the world’s youngest countries, with nearly 80% of the population under the age of 30,” Mr. Rubondo stated.
Rubondo, a respected authority in the field and recipient of the SPE Africa Regional Director Special Award, highlighted the necessity of aligning educational systems with the evolving demands of the industry. “Uganda’s oil and gas sector has adopted a systematic approach to skilling, including demand-driven training, multi-stakeholder investment, industry partnerships, and certification to international standards.
Business experts share insights with conference delegates at the 29th AIMC in Entebbe
The ultimate legacy of the sector will not only be measured by the resources extracted, but by the human capital we build.”
Speaking during the same forum, Ms. Betty Jackie Namubiru, Manager of National Content at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, highlighted the pressing issue of youth unemployment. “Approximately 800,000 young Ugandans enter the workforce every year. However, a significant skills gap leaves many unemployed or underemployed , a challenge shared across the continent,” she said. “Bridging this gap requires a continent-wide shift in strategy focused on three priorities: reorienting skills, investing in digital infrastructure, and fostering innovation.”
Supporting these insights, Dr. Mercy Kainobwisho, Registrar General, praised the AIMC platform as a vital link between academia and the market, stating: “This platform is timely, it enables us to move beyond theoretical knowledge to practical applications that benefit real people.” Adding to the discourse, Prof. Richardson Shambare, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Commerce at Forthare University, South Africa, applauded the Ugandan government’s investment in the oil and gas sector through PAU, calling it “a commendable effort toward creating sustainable employment opportunities.”
Prof. Moses Muhwezi, Principal of MUBS, called upon the business community to actively support academic Institutions through partnerships, research collaboration, and sponsorship. “The Business School stands at the intersection of the humanities and the sciences. This unique position allows us to balance knowledge and wisdom, but only with your support,” he told attendees. He further urged students to pursue self-education through books, online courses, and tutorials, noting that such initiatives promote proactive learning and help bridge the skills gap. “Those with knowledge will survive; those without will fall,” he concluded.
The 29th AIMC Chairperson, Assoc. Prof. Geofrey Mayoka Kituyi, expressed gratitude to all participants, local and international, physical and virtual for their contribution to the success of AIMC 2025. He also thanked the MUBS Council, the Principal, sponsors, and partners for their continued support.
The AIMC, hosted by Makerere University Business School, continues to serve as a platform for exploring cutting-edge research, innovation, and actionable strategies that align Africa’s educational systems with evolving global markets.