The Norwegian Ambassador to Uganda, Ambassador Suzan Eckey, has confirmed the Republic of Norway’s continued support to Uganda’s energy sector. The Ambassador revealed this at celebrations to commemorate 25 years of the Norway-Uganda energy Co-operation at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala, on 22nd September 2016. The Ambassador commended the growth of Uganda’s energy sector, saying that within a short time, more Ugandans will have access to electricity. Currently, only 15% of Ugandans have access to electricity.
Speaking at the same event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Dr. F. A. Kabagambe-Kaliisa applauded Norway for the support to Uganda’s energy sector, which has contributed to development of power projects such as the 600 MW Karuma and the 183 MW Isimba Hydropower Projects that are under construction. He also noted that the Republic of Norway supported the development of the Bujagali Energy Limited Hydropower Plant, the Kira power station, and the Global Energy Transfer for Feed-in-Tariff (GET FiT) program, through which 17 (seventeen) small hydropower projects are being developed.
Dr. Kabagambe added that due to the support, Uganda now had adequate generation capacity and a surplus of 100 MW thermal power on standby, which has created sustainable electricity supply. Additionally, the country now has reduced levels of power outage.
The Permanent Secretary further noted that over 12,000 km of power lines have been erected and 60,000 electricity consumers have been connected to the national grid. Similarly, the technical capacity of sector players, including the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), and the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has been built.
The Director Technical Regulation at ERA, Eng. Ziria Tibalwa Waako while speaking at the same function requested the Republic of Norway to train Ugandans in Electrical-Mechanical Engineering, in order to boost the capacity to manage and maintain power plants.
Download a copy of the full speech of the Permanent Secretary here.