Uganda's electricity sector has reached a significant milestone. The 600-megawatt Karuma Hydropower Project, long delayed and over budget, is now operating at full installed capacity — a development that could transform the country's energy landscape.
Located on the Nile River in Kiryandongo District, Karuma is Uganda's largest power plant. Its full commissioning brings total installed generation capacity to over 1,500 MW, far exceeding domestic demand and creating opportunities for regional electricity exports.
UEGCL Managing Director noted that the surplus power has already attracted interest from neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan, with negotiations underway for long-term power purchase agreements.
The project, financed largely by China's Exim Bank, cost approximately $1.7 billion. Critics have questioned the terms of the financing agreement, but government officials argue the long-term benefits outweigh the costs.