COVER STORY | IAN KATUSIIME | Uganda commissioned its largest hydropower project, the Karuma Hydropower Dam, on September 26, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards enhanced electricity generation for both industrial growth and household access.

The commissioning of the dam comes six years after its initial completion date, delayed by contractor disputes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and regulatory hurdles. The dam, with a capacity of 600 MW, has now been successfully integrated into the national grid, boosting Uganda’s total power generation capacity to an impressive 2,000 MW.

President Yoweri Museveni, who oversaw the groundbreaking of the project in 2013, expressed his elation during the inauguration ceremony. Despite being 80 years old and with less energy than in his earlier years, Museveni took pride in witnessing the completion of such a significant infrastructure initiative, underscoring its potential to transform Uganda’s energy landscape.

In a lighthearted moment, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Lizhong extended belated birthday wishes to President Museveni, adding a festive atmosphere to the commissioning event, which felt akin to a celebratory gift for the veteran leader.