RUBANDA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the Mirama-Kabale high-voltage power line and its substation at Hamuko village in Rubanda district, a project aimed at boosting industrialization and job creation in the Kigezi Sub-region.
“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 have a role to play in conserving the wetlands because the water used in generating this electricity at Jinja originates from the wetlands where small rivers get the water they pour to River Nile through other rivers like Kagera,” President Museveni said.
President Museveni emphasized the importance of conserving wetlands, which act as reservoirs for water used in generating hydropower electricity.
“The water used in generating this electricity at Jinja originates from the wetlands where small rivers get the water they pour to River Nile through other rivers like Kagera,” President Museveni explained.
The Mirama-Kabale power line and substation project, financed by the Islamic Development Bank with a loan of USD 83.75 million, will enhance power stability, support rural electrification, and drive socio-economic development in Southwestern Uganda.
Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, expressed gratitude for the local leadership and communities’ unwavering support.
“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 in addition to delivering electricity; create opportunities for industrial growth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the nation’s overall economic development,” Hon. Nankabirwa said.
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 has been made possible as a result of a 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 and urged community members to utilize it for establishing industries to spur development in the region.
“I thank the government for bringing this electricity to our area. I request you to use this electricity to establish industries, both small and big, to develop our area,” Mr. Kasyaba said.
The commissioning of the Mirama-Kabale power line and substation is part of the Presidential performance assessment tour on the Parish Development Model (PDM) and wealth creation in the Kigezi Sub-region.
