Uganda’s 600MW Karuma hydropower plant to move ahead as public project

The Ugandan government will develop the 600MW Karuma Hydro power project as a public project, aiming to raise power generation capacity as its demand for electricity continues to climb, said Simon D’Ujanga, the country’s junior energy and minerals minister.

The government intends to raise funds from its internally-generated savings, grants and loans as it foots the US$2bn bill.

“East African countries need to take a lead in the development of the energy sector while providing incentives to private investors in order to end the current crisis,” he said.

With construction planned to start early next year, the government is currently looking to procure a contractor for Karuma.