Mitooma District is on the path to improved electricity access following the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power Project in Ruhinda North County. The ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon.
Thomas Tayebwa, who hailed the project as a significant milestone in addressing Uganda’s energy challenges, particularly in rural areas.The project falls under the Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, implemented by the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC), with funding from the ORIO Infrastructure Fund of the Netherlands.
Unlocking Economic Potential Through Reliable EnergySpeaking at the event, Tayebwa, who also serves as the area Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North, emphasized that unreliable and expensive electricity has long stifled growth in businesses, education, healthcare, and households across Uganda.
"This project will not only light homes but will open up vast opportunities. Farmers will process their produce more efficiently, small businesses will flourish, and our children will study in better conditions,"Tayebwa said.
He commended the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for prioritizing rural electrification and urged continued collaboration to ensure that more underserved communities benefit from such projects.Affordable, Clean Energy for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing affordable and clean energy to support Uganda’s industrialization goals."I am pleased to note that the agreed tariff for this project is 5.3 US cents per unit, which is a significant step towards reducing electricity costs. Hydropower remains the cleanest and most affordable energy source," Nankabirwa said.Highlighting the project’s alignment with Uganda’s energy strategy, Nankabirwa noted that such investments contribute to achieving the country’s Vision 2040 and National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), fostering socio-economic transformation.Addressing Infrastructure Gaps in MitoomaHon. Juliet Agasha, the Woman Member of Parliament for Mitooma District, welcomed the project but urged the Ministry of Energy to address existing infrastructure challenges in the district."We have sub-counties with electricity poles but no connecting wires, leaving entire communities without power. Frequent load shedding has also severely affected local businesses,"Agasha pointed out, calling for urgent interventions to bridge these gaps.Netherlands Reaffirms Commitment to Uganda’s Energy SectorThe Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Joost Van Ettro, commended Uganda for fostering strong partnerships with private investors to support energy and industrial development."With increasing energy demands in rural areas, we believe that mini-hydropower plants like Ncwera will play a critical role in spurring economic growth through industrialization, ultimately creating jobs and opportunities for Uganda’s growing population,"Van Ettro said.Expanding Impact Beyond MitoomaAccording to Roy Nyamutale Baguma, Managing Director of UECCC, the Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power Project is part of a broader initiative to improve rural electrification across Uganda."In addition to Mitooma, the ORIO Mini Hydropower Project will be implemented in eight other sites across six districts—Bushenyi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Bunyangabo, and Hoima," Baguma revealed.The nine mini hydropower plants are expected to generate a combined capacity of 6.7 megawatts and cover a distribution network of 288 kilometers. These projects are strategically located in hard-to-reach areas where extending the national grid has proven challenging."The Ncwera project will be completed within a year and is designed to respond to key government policies like NDPIV, Vision 2040, and Sustainable Development Plan 7," Baguma added.The project’s completion is expected to catalyze economic activities, enhance education, improve healthcare services, and create new business opportunities, driving Uganda closer to its goal of universal electricity access.Stay updated with more developments on dailywestnile.info.You said:Generate another oneChatGPT said:Mitooma District to Benefit from Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power ProjectMitooma, Uganda – February 3, 2025In a significant boost to rural electrification efforts, Mitooma District has officially launched the construction of the Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power Project in Ruhinda North County. The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, who hailed the project as a transformative initiative for the region’s socio-economic development.The project is part of the broader Electricity Access Scale-Up Project, spearheaded by the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) and financed through the ORIO Infrastructure Fund of the Netherlands.A Game Changer for Mitooma’s DevelopmentAddressing the gathering, Tayebwa—who also represents Ruhinda North in Parliament—noted that unreliable and costly electricity has long hindered growth in rural Uganda, affecting businesses, schools, health facilities, and households."This project is not just about lighting homes. It’s about empowering communities. Farmers will process their produce efficiently, small businesses will thrive, and our children will have better study environments,"Tayebwa said.He commended the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for prioritizing rural communities in energy infrastructure projects and called for continued collaboration to expand such initiatives across Uganda.Affordable Energy for Economic GrowthThe Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, emphasized that the project aligns with the government’s goal of providing affordable, clean energy to support Uganda’s industrialization and economic growth."I’m pleased to note that the agreed tariff for this project is 5.3 US cents per unit, which is a significant step in reducing electricity costs. Hydropower is not only clean but also one of the cheapest sources of energy," Nankabirwa said.She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to electricity as outlined in key policy frameworks, including Vision 2040, the National Development Plan IV (NDPIV), and the Sustainable Development Plan 7.Addressing Electricity Gaps in MitoomaHon. Juliet Agasha, the Woman Member of Parliament for Mitooma District, welcomed the project but urged the Ministry to address ongoing electricity infrastructure gaps in the district."We have two sub-counties with electricity poles but no connecting wires, leaving communities in the dark. Additionally, persistent load shedding has severely impacted businesses,"Agasha pointed out, appealing for swift government intervention.Netherlands Supports Uganda’s Energy AgendaThe Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Uganda, H.E. Joost Van Ettro, lauded Uganda’s commitment to sustainable energy development and strong partnerships with private investors."With the growing energy demands in rural areas, we believe that mini-hydropower plants like Ncwera will play a key role in driving economic growth through industrialization, job creation, and expanded opportunities for communities,"Van Ettro said.Expanding the Impact Beyond MitoomaAccording to Roy Nyamutale Baguma, Managing Director of UECCC, the Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power Project is part of a larger rural electrification program that will cover six additional districts, including Bushenyi, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Bunyangabo, and Hoima."In total, the ORIO Mini Hydropower Project will implement nine sites, generating a combined capacity of 6.7 megawatts and covering a distribution network of 288 kilometers," Baguma revealed.The project targets hard-to-reach areas with challenging terrains, where traditional grid expansion is not feasible."Construction of the Ncwera project is expected to be completed within one year, and it’s designed to meet Uganda’s strategic development goals under NDPIV, Vision 2040, and the Sustainable Development Plan 7," Baguma added.With its completion, the Ncwera Mini Hydro-Power Project is expected to enhance productivity, support education, improve healthcare services, and create job opportunities, marking a new chapter in Mitooma’s development journey.For more updates on infrastructure projects across Uganda, visit dailywestnile.info.ChatGPT can make mistakes. 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