By Andrew Irumba
Entebbe, Uganda- Geoscientists from several African countries on Tuesday concluded a month-long intensive training under the PanAfGeo programme, with a colorful closing ceremony held at K-Hotels in Entebbe, where participants were awarded certificates for successfully completing the course in Field Geoscientific Mapping.
The training, hosted by Uganda’s Geological Survey Department (GSD) under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development (MEMD), brought together geoscience professionals from across the continent to strengthen technical skills in geological mapping, data interpretation and field investigation.
The closing ceremony attracted representatives from partner institutions including the Czech Geological Survey (CGS), the European Union, and the Minerals Development Programme (MDP) Uganda.
In her speech, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Eng. Batebe Irene Pauline, she emphasized that geological mapping plays a central role in strengthening Africa’s mineral and energy sectors. She noted that robust geoscientific data forms the backbone of mineral exploration, infrastructure planning, groundwater development and environmental management.
“Accurate geological mapping is not merely a scientific exercise; it is the bedrock upon which mineral exploration, investment decisions, infrastructure planning, groundwater development and environmental management are built,” the speech read.
According to the Ministry, the PanAfGeo programme is a critical capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the technical capabilities of geological surveys across Africa through practical training and knowledge exchange.
The programme also promotes the harmonization of geological data and mapping standards across African countries, enabling better regional understanding of mineral systems and geological formations that often extend across national borders.
During the ceremony, Dr. Fred Tugume Uganda’s acting commissioner Geological Survey Department delivered opening remarks, while Ms. Veronika Stedra represented the Czech Geological Survey team that supported the training.
Participants also presented fieldwork debriefs and shared experiences from the geological mapping exercises conducted across different parts of Uganda during the training period.
Representatives from five participant groups highlighted how the programme improved their technical competence in field data collection, geological interpretation and standardized mapping methodologies.
The European Union, which funds the PanAfGeo initiative, was commended for supporting geoscientific capacity development across the continent.
The Permanent Secretary noted that such partnerships are crucial for institutional strengthening and continental integration, adding that the training not only equips individuals with skills but also builds lasting professional networks among African geological surveys.
“Geological formations and mineral belts extend across borders. Therefore, cooperation among geological surveys is not optional — it is essential,” the speech stated. 
Participants were later awarded certificates by officials from the Geological Survey Department, Czech Geological Survey and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in recognition of their successful completion of the programme.
PanAfGeo, short for Pan-African Support to the EuroGeoSurveys–Organization of African Geological Surveys Partnership, is a flagship initiative funded by the European Union that focuses on strengthening Africa’s geoscientific knowledge, geological mapping capacity and natural resource governance.
The programme works closely with national geological surveys across Africa to enhance professional training, improve geological data management and support sustainable mineral development.
Officials expressed optimism that the skills acquired by the participants would contribute to better geological investigations, improved mineral exploration and stronger regional cooperation across Africa’s geoscience institutions.
The ceremony concluded with networking among participants, trainers and partner institutions. 
