- Uganda has officially commissioned the 6.6 MW Nyagak III Hydropower Station in Zombo District.
- Minister Nankabirwa emphasised that government-funded hydro projects like Nyagak III and Karuma would result in lower electricity tariffs and more reliable, cleaner energy.
Uganda has officially commissioned the 6.6 MW Nyagak III Hydropower Station in Paidha Subcounty, Zombo District, marking the completion of a project first launched in 2015.
Energy Minister Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa presided over the ceremony, announcing that the plant is now synchronised with the national grid and under the management of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL).
“We have officially synchronised 6.6 MW to the grid and handed over the station to UEGCL, marking the completion of technical commissioning,” she said.
The run-of-river facility, developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), is expected to generate over 36 GWh annually — enough to power 8,500 households in Arua, Nebbi, and Zombo — and bolster electricity access in the historically power-starved West Nile region.
Minister Nankabirwa emphasised that government-funded hydro projects like Nyagak III and Karuma would result in lower electricity tariffs and more reliable, cleaner energy.
“The power generated here will be transmitted to the Nebbi substation and distributed nationwide,” she said. “Tariffs will reduce over time.”
The $20 million project includes two 3.3 MW Horizontal Francis turbines. The government owns 30 per cent through the Ministry of Energy and UEGCL, while a private consortium — Hydromax Ltd, Dott Services, and Tata Consulting Engineers — holds 70 per cent. The consortium will operate the plant for 20 years before transferring it to the government.
UEGCL project manager, Eng. Nicholas Agaba Rugaba said initial setbacks occurred when an international financier withdrew. However, funding was later secured through a $10 million loan from Afrexim Bank and private contributions, overcoming delays such as land disputes and floods in 2022.
“After a decade of development, the station is now ready to transmit power to the national grid,” Eng. Agaba said.
Former Energy Minister Simon D’Ujanga, who initiated feasibility studies for Nyagak I and III in the 1990s, called it a transformative milestone.
“With 6.6 MW added, power outages in West Nile should be history. The focus now is attracting investors to industrial parks to utilise the region’s 90 MW capacity.”
Despite the progress, local leaders voiced concerns over delayed corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects, including roads, a health centre, and school blocks. In response, Nankabirwa outlined ongoing works:
Four boreholes are complete, one footbridge is done, and another is at 75 per cent. A Health Centre III and classroom blocks are also in progress.”
She reaffirmed Uganda’s goal of achieving 100 per cent electricity access by 2040 and urged community support.
Zombo RDC Festus Ayikobua thanked President Museveni and the community for their role, calling on locals to continue supporting government initiatives.