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A delegation from the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), led by Chief Operating Officer Samantha Muhwezi, is currently in Malaysia on a strategic mission aimed at fostering partnerships and learning from the Southeast Asian nation’s experience in maximizing natural resource use.

Once contributing up to 40% of Malaysia’s GDP, the energy sector now accounts for around 20%, showcasing a maturing but still vital industry.

Since Monday, June 16, the Ugandan team has been engaging with various stakeholders, hosted by the Malaysia Petroleum Resources Corporation (MPRC)—an agency under Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy. MPRC plays a key role in developing the country’s Oil and Gas Services and Equipment (OGSE) sector and overseeing commercial interests in the industry.

Muhwezi praised MPRC’s structured approach to developing the sector, calling its initiatives “highly intentional and impressive.”

Among their key engagements was a strategic dialogue with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS), Malaysia’s national oil and gas corporation. Discussions centered on global industry trends and the unique model where one institution acts as both the national oil company and the sector regulator. They explored how this setup impacts national growth, local expertise, and strengthening the country’s bargaining power on the global stage.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Muhwezi highlighted success stories such as Sapura Energy, a Malaysian company that has grown into a global player. She emphasized the need for Uganda to similarly nurture its local firms.

She also expressed admiration for SME Corporation Malaysia, which supports micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, including those in oil and gas. Muhwezi cited their MatchMe online platform—designed to connect MSMEs with clients—as a model Uganda could replicate.

Another important stop for the delegation was Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, a key institution in Malaysia’s oil and gas talent pipeline. The team discussed potential academic collaborations, including faculty exchanges and university partnerships between Uganda and Malaysia.

In Kuala Lumpur, the team also visited MATRADE, Malaysia’s trade promotion agency. Muhwezi noted that during the meeting, Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to fostering mutually beneficial ventures between Ugandan and Malaysian businesses.

Further collaboration was agreed upon with Malaysia’s Human Resources Development Corporation, signaling potential future training and capacity-building initiatives.

Describing the visit as “strategic,” Muhwezi acknowledged the coordination efforts of the Uganda High Commission in Malaysia, which played a central role in organizing the mission.