By Anne Mugisa

GOVERNMENT-aided boarding schools will soon be connected to solar power, the Minister of State for Energy, Dr. Kamanda Bataringaya, has said.

Engineers have started the preliminary work on the solar installation, which is to begin with 90 schools in Mubende, Kibaale, Mbale, Pallisa, Arua and Apac districts.

The project is expected to cost US$30m (about sh52.5b).

Engineers said the programme would spread to other districts in phases.

Bataringaya was closing a solar technicians training course at the Vocational training institute at Nakawa in Kampala. He said the government was trying to develop other power sources.

The course, which started on September 1, was organised by Solar Energy For Africa. Forty-two technicians from all over the country attended.