Bunyoro Parliamentary caucus checks on Karuma HPP progress

By Kundu Ronald

Members of the Bunyoro parliamentary caucus took a visit to Karuma Hydropower project yesterday. The visit was to establish the progress of its construction and also find out about the Corporate social responsibility(CSR) and Community Development Action Plan (CDAP). 

Eng. Paul Tumwine the deputy project manager of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) said that the construction is at 99% with construction and installation compete. He stated that commissioning is in process with 3 units out of 6 already commissioned and operational implying that 300 MW are ready for dispatch. 

He noted that due to challenges along the Karuma- Kawanda line, currently only 100 MW are being dispatched along Karuma – Lira line. He further said that the 4th line will be commissioned on June 25th,2023. 

“As far as CSR is concerned, we have built school blocks of Diima P/S in Kiryandongo district, Kamaji P/S in Nwoya district and Dicwinyi Health Centre block in Oyam district. While CDAP has been able to build Noora P/S block in Nwoya district and Diima P/S block for the accommodation of staff in Kiryandongo district” Eng. Paul said.

He noted that the project produces 11kV that is stepped up to 400kV for Karuma – Kawanda line, 132 kV for Karuma – Lira line and 132 kV for Karuma- Olwiyo line. 

Karubanga Jacob Ateenyi the chairman Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus noted that there is an element of an orphanage for Kiryandongo and some other elements under CDAP for Kiryandongo district that must be fought for.

Linos Ngompek the Kibanda North MP called upon Ugandans to desist from vandalism stating that this is a project for all Ugandans. He observed that the 600MW of electricity produced from Kiryandongo is transmitted to Kawanda and then distributed to Kiryandongo district. He called upon the Ministry of energy to construct a small substation at Karuma to distribute power to the hosting communities

Ronald Akugizibwe Aled the Buruli county MP appreciated efforts made in the project, especially in CDAP which has seen Masindi military hospital take a whooping 1.5 billion shillings.

The mega project whose construction will cost $1.3 billion is said to be the most expensive project ever done under the NRM government.