KARUMA-The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has dismissed reports that three people died in an accident that occurred on Thursday when a truck that was transporting night shift construction workers rammed into a wall after its breaks failed and overturned inside the tunnel.
Contrary to media reports, UEGCL spokesperson Simon Kayate has, in a statement issued Friday morning, clarified that there were no fatalities recorded. “Several workers were injured. All the injured were immediately transferred to Lacor and Gulu independent hospitals for medical attention,” Mr Kayate said.
“On the evening of August 30, 2018, a carrier truck transporting workers for the evening shift into the tunnel at Karuma hydropower plant failed to break ramming into the side wall and eventually overturned,” he wrote, adding: “We are verifying the identity of the injured with the available official records and traffic police are conducting investigations into the likely cause of the incident.”
“The accident was regrettable and we feel terribly sorry about the loss of life and share the pain with the bereaved families. Everything is being done to support the injured currently in hospital,” he said.
The dam which has been under construction since December, 2013, is nearing completion. It’s is expected to produce 600MW.
The $1.7 billion project is funded by Exim Bank of China and the government of Uganda at 85 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
The dam is being constructed by Sinohydro, a Chinese firm.
