Uganda’s Energy Minister, Ms Irene Muloni has explained that she already signed a deal on behalf of the Republic of Uganda, to be supplying power to the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Unveiling this, the minister was speaking at the launching of the ISO Certificate of Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), which took place last week on Friday, in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) already signed by Ms Muloni now, is to last for three years of Uganda exporting electricity to DR Congo.
The Energy Minister highlighted that when Isimba, Karuma, plus other small power dams in Uganda are completed, Uganda will then have power in excess, which allows smooth export.
She added that with just Isimba and Karuma dams connected, they will generate 783MW, as Uganda is at the moment generating 825MW.
“The financing of the project is estimated to be about $150 million. From the amount, Uganda will contribute about $22 million and the rest will be cleared by the DR Congo government,” she said.
“In the instant that the funding is done, it will only need two years for the project to be completed, which could be by the end of 2019 or there about,” Ms Muloni, Uganda’s Energy Minister added.
The money is said to will be borrowed from the African Development Bank, for the accomplishment of the project.
The Minister elaborated that the government of Uganda is also doing its best to reduce the costs of power in households and the country at large.
“Efforts to connect power to 80% of Ugandan households are underway,” she said.
The supply, according to Ms Muloni, will be connected from Uganda’s Kasese District to Beni city in the northeastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Butembo in North Kivu and lastly to Bunia town in Ituri Province – reports have written explaining the minister’s words.
Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu
