By Shisa Naome
The government of Uganda has announced the importation of electricity from one of its neighboring countries, Kenya due to the emergency shutdown of Isimba dam.
Isimba dam which has the ability to generate about 183megawatts was commissioned on the 21st March 2019 and was shut down on the 9th August 2022 due to the flooding of the power house which had the turbines and generators.
Ruth Nankabirwa – minister of Energy and Mineral Development talked about the shutdown of the Isimba dam and said that
“The power house was going to be damaged by the water because water rose up to 10.36meters and the act of switching it off was a wise act and a safety procedure to ensure safety of the staff and protection of electro-mechanical equipment”.
The Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) is taking on measures to ensure continuity of electricity supply including important of 60 megawatts from Kenya Nankabirwa said.
