The minister in charge of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa has said that the long waited Karuma Dam project is to be commented next year.
The Karuma dam project which will provide over 600mw power to Ugandans will reduce the power loss in the country, according to the officials.
Addressing the Media in Kampala at the Ministry of Energy, Nankabirwa stated that Uganda has lost investors due to power instability therefore when this is open there is a likely increase of investors to Uganda which will impact positive on Uganda’s economy.
Nankabirwa added that Uganda will be able sell power the neighbouring countries which will general foreign exchange.
She noted that many Ugandans are found of stealing power but also stealing property used in generating and that the ministry is finalizing the best penalties to the offenders.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that the government has earmarked Shs200billion annually over the next five years to roll out the free Electricity Connection Policy (ECP).
The policy, which resumed in March, aims at increasing access to grid electricity to spur economic development and connections have since resumed, with a dual connection system where customers with the ability to pay for their connections can pay in three days without waiting as the government mobilizes additional resources for the policy to clear the backlog.
The cabinet approved the resumption of the policy considering that the government had procured 87,500 no-pole connection materials worth USD11,550,000 utilising funds from the ongoing African Development Bank(ADB) access project while procurement of 62,400 no-pole connection materials from the same project are under process.
Procurement of 234,989 no-pole connection materials utilizing funds from the Exim Bank of China Access project (under TBEA contract) is also ongoing and these materials are expected in August, 2021, according to the Minister.