The Ministry for Energy and mineral development is committed to joining hands with the other stakeholders expanding access to electricity and increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix by 2025,

The grid coverage of the power in Uganda is as low as 20% and yet they are aiming at 50%, this has triggered the ministry to put in more efforts to ensure that it achieves its goals since the power and electricity exhibition Uganda has opened up doors of collaborations.

The exhibition for power and electricity at Lugogo UMA showground in Kampala was officially launched by the state minister for energy Hon. Sidronius Okaasai Opolo who assured the public that the partnership with the stakeholders from different countries in power and electricity will boast the live hoods of the people, market sector and also the growth of the country.

 The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, in partnership with Exhibitions & Trade Services India, held the first ever Power and Elec International Expo 2023, this gathered More than 100 exhibitors from several countries, including; Uganda, India, UAE, and the UK, where national and international players in different spheres of power sector showed case the latest innovations and technologies and hold business-to-business experiences. These include manufacturers and suppliers of power products; importers and exporters; dealers in energy, electricals, electronics, electro energetics, renewable, and solar products, plus the end users.  

Uganda, over the years, has had its share of the electricity demand-supply balance challenge. Either supply has been limited as happened between 2005 and 2012 that load shedding has to be enforced or there has been more supply than demand as is currently the case, In the latter scenario, there is the possibility of payment for deemed energy due to contractual obligations, the transmission company takes the risk of failure to uptake or consume power that a power plant is willing to generate.  According to Hon. Sidronius Okaasai Opolo Uganda up to date has not produced enough power than what they are exporting to other countries.

Following the passing of Uganda’s Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022, Ugandans found guilty of vandalizing electricity infrastructure may face a fine of UGX 1 billion or a 15-year jail sentence, just five years short of the Ugandan life sentence term of 20 years.

The Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station which is 600 MW of hydroelectric power wages 3 units and yet its supposed to wage 4 units to produce 100 MW,400 MW and 65  MW but this is limited due to vandalism in the country, the ministry is ready to punish anyone found vandalizing even the electricity materials from the markets.

More small Power Plants electricity and Dams like Muzizi Hydro Power Station are undergoing construction. The solar is currently at 400mw, and it is expected to increase in megawatts as the ministry is expecting to have both solar and generated electricity increase in the near future.

Ezra Muhumuza Rubanda executive director of the Uganda Manufacturers Association called upon the gov’t to look into the matter of the unutilized permits when it comes to mineral mining in Uganda

This power and electricity exhibition serves as an important gateway for the East African power industry, the Forum aims to particularly highlight the role of energy in contributing to sustainable development and Understanding the new trends and how technology can accelerate the energy transition.

RITAH NANDERA