The Karuma Hydropower Plant, a 600 MW project constructed by Sinohydro Corporation Limited, was officially commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kiryandongo District. The project was partly funded by the Government of Uganda (15 percent) and the Exim Bank of China (85 percent).
President Museveni thanked the Chinese government for their financial support and acknowledged Sinohydro’s quality workmanship. He emphasized the importance of reliable and affordable electricity for Uganda’s economic development, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.
The President also highlighted the need for skilled human labor to support the country’s economic growth and addressed the issue of vandalism of electricity infrastructure. He urged Ugandans to avoid borrowing from money lenders and instead seek loans from government-backed financial institutions.
Vice President Jessica Alupo and Minister of Energy Ruth Nankabirwa emphasized the significance of the Karuma Hydropower Plant as a steppingstone towards Uganda’s goal of achieving 52,000 MW of electricity generation by 2040.
The Ambassador of China to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, expressed his delight at the completion of the project, describing it as a historic development for Uganda.
Overall, the commissioning of the Karuma Hydropower Plant marks a significant milestone for Uganda, providing a boost to its energy sector and contributing to the country’s economic growth.
