President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Ministry of Energy to plan energy distribution with a focus on per capita consumption, drawing comparisons to countries like Sweden and the United States.
He made these remarks while commissioning the 600MW Karuma Hydro Power Dam, operated by the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) in Kiryandongo District.
“The goal is to ensure we have sufficient electricity for a modern lifestyle,” Museveni stated, while cautioning ministry officials not to become complacent with the current capacity.
“This is not the time to celebrate. Don’t assume we have enough electricity. We must benchmark against developed countries.”
The Karuma Hydro Power Plant (HPP) adds significantly to Uganda’s power generation, increasing the installed capacity to 2,200MW. This boost aims to meet the rising energy demands of the country’s growing economy.
UEGCL’s Managing Director, Eng. Harrison Mutikanga, expressed pride in managing Africa’s largest underground hydropower facility. He highlighted that the additional power generation is expected to bolster communities, drive economic growth, and help achieve universal electricity access by 2030.
The Karuma HPP is supported by a strong transmission network, including a 248 km line to Kawanda, 55 km to Olwiyo, and 75 km to Lira. These lines will ensure efficient power distribution to major load centers across Uganda.
Local communities raised concerns about direct access to the newly generated power. President Museveni clarified that the high-voltage electricity would first need to be stepped down for domestic use.
Additionally, he addressed land compensation disputes surrounding the project, pledging to resolve the matter during an upcoming Cabinet meeting.
With this commissioning, Uganda takes a significant step toward energy security, setting the stage for further economic development.