Cabinet moves to boost lithium mining for local solar battery production
According to Lumumba, the resolution agreed upon during a cabinet sitting on October 12 seeks to increase local battery production with the aim of reducing the cost of solar-powered water pumping and irrigation on farms and gardens.
Solar panels used by an irrigation system. File photo
Cabinet has resolved to boost lithium mining to facilitate local manufacture of batteries used in solar-powered systems to support irrigation.
The revelation was made by Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday.
According to Lumumba, the resolution agreed upon during a cabinet sitting on October 12 seeks to increase local battery production with the aim of reducing the cost of solar-powered water pumping and irrigation on farms and gardens.
"The existing irrigation schemes and dams will be rehabilitated. The small and large-scale ones will be repaired to improve their operations and ensure that water reaches the farms and gardens they serve," she said.
The minister added that the move will promote fish farming, with government pledging to support investors to speed up implementation of the six-point irrigation strategy.
Other cabinet resolutions passed included increased funding of the country's refugee response, Lumumba said.
The minister also revealed that Jennifer Naome Aryonget had been appointed to the board of Uganda Development Corporation, and that Uganda has since confirmed participation in the biodiversity conference in Armenia scheduled for October 19–30 this year.