Simon Mungudit has emerged as the best performing male student in the Sciences at Makerere University and is set to graduate during the University’s 76th Graduation Ceremony, scheduled for 24–27 February 2026.
At just 24 years old, Mungudit, a student from the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), has distinguished himself as one of Makerere University’s finest academic achievers. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Geoscience and Production, having attained an outstanding CGPA of 4.76.
His academic interests include Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysics, and Drilling, areas that reflect a strong grasp of the subsurface sciences that underpin modern energy systems.
Early Life and Academic Journey
Born to Mr. Owor Thomas, a game ranger with the Uganda Wildlife Authority at Murchison Falls National Park, and Ms. Lilly Obewun Grace of Akuru Bridge Village, Nyaravur Sub-County in Nebbi District, Mungudit’s journey began far from the lecture halls of Makerere University.
He attended Karuma Primary School, where he scored 12 aggregates in the Primary Leaving Examinations. He later joined St. Daniel Comboni College, Nebbi, earning 14 aggregates in eight subjects at O’ Level. For A’ Level, Mungudit studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) at Namilyango College, scoring 19 points, results that earned him government sponsorship to pursue petroleum geoscience at Makerere University.
Gratitude to Mentors and Sponsors
Mungudit attributes his success to strong support systems and mentorship. He credits his parents for supporting his primary and O’ Level education and expresses deep gratitude to TotalEnergies, which fully sponsored his A’ Level studies, covering tuition, upkeep, and medical care. He also acknowledges the Government of Uganda for sponsoring his university education, noting that this opportunity motivated him to excel.
At Makerere, he thrived in a rigorous academic environment supported by dedicated mentorship. He pays special tribute to Dr. Arthur Batte, Head of the Department of Geology and Petroleum Studies, and other lecturers for their commitment to student excellence.
“I always aimed to excel,” Mungudit says. “Together with a few colleagues, we formed a discussion group that met daily. Combined with discipline, prayer, and a conducive study environment, this helped us achieve excellent results.”
Dr. Arthur Batte describes Mungudit as “a humble yet exceptionally intelligent student.”
Achievements and Professional Experience
Beyond the classroom, Mungudit demonstrated strong leadership and professional competence. In 2024, he led a team that won the Reservoir Modelling Challenge organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Makerere University Chapter, earning prize money and a sponsored field trip to the Tilenga Project, courtesy of COSL.
He was First Runner-Up in the Petro Bowl competitions in 2023 and 2025, a highly competitive petroleum knowledge quiz organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Uganda Section. He also served as a Student Officer for the SPE Makerere University Chapter in 2023 and later chaired the Organizing Committee of the SPE Annual Students’ Technical Conference and Exhibition in 2024.
His professional training includes an internship with TotalEnergies, where he applied petrophysics skills to analyze gas-while-drilling data for formation evaluation. At Makerere, he gained proficiency in PetroMod 2018, a key software tool in oil and gas exploration. After completing his studies in June 2025, he trained with the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), participating in 2D seismic acquisition in the Kasurubani Block in Buliisa and Hoima districts.
Mungudit currently serves as Special Projects Coordinator for the SPE Uganda Section Student Liaison Committee.
Future Plans
Mungudit aspires to work in the upstream oil and gas sector as a geoscientist and plans to pursue further studies in petroleum engineering.
From a village in Nebbi District to the forefront of petroleum geoscience, Simon Mungudit’s story reflects opportunity seized, talent nurtured, and potential realized. As Uganda’s oil and gas sector continues to grow, he stands as a symbol of the skilled and principled professionals poised to shape its future.
