Government has refuted allegations that some turbines in Bujagali burst shortly after the dam was commissioned by the Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi saying the intentions of the rumors are intended to tarnish government’s image.
Energy minister Irene Muloni says they have not received any reports from the bulk suppliers who are also system operators.
Rumor around town is that some of the turbines of the newly commissioned Bujagali dam burst and as such no power has been generated from the dam ever since and this has been attributed to the poor quality of machines that built the dam.
But Energy Minister has confirmed to NBS TV that the dam has been generating 5o mega watts since then.
UMEME, the power supplier earlier this week complained to members of the AD HOC committee on energy that they have not received any energy from bujagali which according to the minister is not true.
For the past 8 months, the country has suffered with load shading which prompted the business community into industrial action.
Government is now certain that by July this year, load shading will be no more since the last phase will also be commissioned and then the dam will at least generate 125 megawatts.
Uganda’s major challenges in the energy sector trace way back from the 1990’s and circum from a number of factors which among them include political propaganda, delayed funds from the donor community and experienced technicians in the field.
Yesterday when president Museveni was addressing parliament, he assured the nation that he will not allow the country to go back to the 90’s and commit the same mistakes it did in the Energy and security sectors.
This is to be achieved through the energy fund that government put in place to generate funds for the sector that even without foreign aid, the country can stand independently.
The production of oil is also expected to boost the country’s potential to boost development in it’s sectors energy taking priority though an oil curse has already been predicted and therefore only time can tell.
TEDDY NAMAYANJA
