Government Whip Obua Launches Uganda Energy Policy 2023

NEWS- The Government Chief Whip, Hon Denis Hamson Obua launched the Energy Policy for Uganda 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel Kampala on Wednesday where the ambitious projected generation capacity of 52,000MW by 2040 was revealed. 

Hon Obua, who represented the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Robinah Nabanja, underscored the importance of the new policy as a significant milestone for posterity. 

“Today marks a significant milestone in our country’s history as we gather to launch the new Energy Policy that will shape the future of our country for the next generations to come,” Hon Obua said.

The Government Chief Whip emphasized the critical role energy plays in shaping the environment and the economy. 

“Energy is the lifeblood of any nation, and this launch is being held at a critical time when nations are dealing with ensuring their energy security for socio-economic development,” He said. 

Obua noted that Uganda’s rich mineral resources include hydropower of 15,000 MW, biomass, solar of 10,000 MW, geothermal with potential 1,500 MW, peat of 800MW, wind of 200 MW, uranium and fossil fuels. 

“The sustainable development and utilization of these resources necessitates establishing transparent and well-balanced partnerships with key technology providers across the globe,” He said.

He revealed that the Cabinet made the Energy Policy focusing on factors that include the projected 2040 population and labour workforce of 73 million and 22.1 million, respectively.

“A large portion of this population will be youth who we must support to ensure their employability. Opportunities must be created to support the youth through Technical Vocational Education and Training,” Hon Obua said.  

He added that projected 2040 generation capacity of 52,000MW will support large infrastructure such as the Standard Gauge Railway, Oil refinery and Petrochemical industries, and emerging trends such as electric mobility that will require significant amounts of electricity.

Hon Obua also noted that the ambitious energy plan is also meant to facilitate rural electrification for inclusive growth and poverty reduction, irrigation and mechanization to boost agriculture and food security, manufacturing, mining, education and healthcare in Uganda.