By Ambrose Gahene,
KAMPALA
Uganda is set to generate 52000 megawatts of electricity by the year 2040, according to sources from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.
Eng. Julius Wamala, the Ag. Commissioner, Electricity Production Department, in the Ministry of Energy, while giving a comment on Friday at Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) show ground, during panel discussions on Day two of the Power and Electricity International Kampala Forum 2024, said:
“After amending the Electricity Act 2022, we at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development have put in place a joint electricity generation and transmission planning committee. Our target is to generate 52000 Megawatts of electricity by 2040”, he said.
Eng. Wamala said apart from Hydro, the Government is also considering promoting renewable energy. He said amendment of the Electricity Act 2022 has put in place mechanisms aimed at improving capacity building in electricity generation, just as is the case with Ethiopia and Tanzania, where their Governments have stepped up efforts to develop high electricity generation capacities. 
“When we amended the Electricity Act 2022, a lot of things have happened”, he added.
Mr. Jenkins Miiro, representing Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL), said Uganda is set to interconnect Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania with electricity to ensure surplus electricity is to serve regional markets and fetch Uganda foreign currency.
“The challenge we have is lack of adequate infrastructure, but by next year we intent to partner with the Private Sector, to ensure electricity interconnectivity is done with our neighboring countries”, he said.
Mr. Eric Olanya, Grid Works Uganda Country Director, a United Kingdom (UK) based electricity Company, said Grid Works only operates in Africa, with Uganda at the forefront because of the favorable investment environment.
“Our experience at Grid Works has been a journey of learning. We are pleased that there is electricity regulation in Uganda”, he said.
He said export of electricity to neighboring countries represents a financial viable opportunity for Uganda because it draws in foreign exchange.
“We are also looking at innovation and use of modern technology in our investments”, he added.
Day two of the power and electricity Expo 2024 attracted both indigenous and foreign companies’ exhibitors.
