President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has emphasized the importance of conserving wetlands, stating that they act as reservoirs for water, which is crucial for generating hydropower electricity.
President Museveni made these remarks today while commissioning the Mirama-Kabale high-voltage power line and its substation at Hamuko village in Rubanda District.
The commissioning is part of the Presidential performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation in the Kigezi Sub-region, which commenced today.
“The commissioned high-voltage power substation is aimed at boosting industrialization and job creation in this area. People must be reminded that while they celebrate the commissioning of this electricity, they also have a role to play in conserving wetlands. The water used in generating electricity at Jinja originates from wetlands, where small rivers collect water and channel it into the River Nile through other rivers like Kagera,” President Museveni said.
The Hamuko-Kabale Substation, Rubanda District electricity project, which traverses Ntungamo, Rukiga, Kabale, and Rubanda districts, was financed by the Islamic Development Bank with a loan of USD 83.75 million, under the oversight of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The Ministry also highlighted that most project-affected persons (PAPs) had been compensated, with 2,467 out of 2,529 individuals receiving payments.
In her speech, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, expressed her gratitude for the unwavering support from the local leadership and communities in the Kigezi region. She emphasized the project’s significance in enhancing power stability, supporting rural electrification, and driving socio-economic development.
“Today, we are witnessing the commissioning of a transformative project that will significantly enhance power stability in Southwestern Uganda, particularly in the Kigezi sub-region. This project will not only deliver electricity but also create opportunities for industrial growth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s overall economic development,” said Hon. Nankabirwa.
According to the CEO of Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), Mr. Joshua Karamagi, the successful completion of the project to ensure energy security for the Kigezi region was made possible through collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Government of Uganda, the Islamic Development Bank, the local community and leadership, and Colenco Consulting Ltd. (Nigeria), CCC-GTSCC Consortium (Nigeria), and Ceylex Engineering PVT Ltd. (Sri Lanka).
The Rubanda District LCV Chairman, Mr Stephen Kasyaba, thanked the government for establishing the electricity substation in his area and urged community members to utilize it for the development of small and large industries to spur economic growth in the region.
