Nyagak electricity plant commissioned

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The energy and mineral development minister, Ruth Nankabirwa, has commissioned the Nyagak 3 hydropower plant in Zombo district.

The 6.6-megawatt hydropower plant is located about 15 kilometres away from Paidha town, in Alindi village, Amei parish, Paidha sub-county, Zombo district in West Nile sub-region.

The project was developed and implemented by GENMAX Nyagak Ltd (GENMAX), a special purpose vehicle born out of a private-public partnership between the government through the energy ministry, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) and private sector players Hydromax Ltd and Dott Services Ltd.

The Nyagak 3 hydropower plant in Zombo district has been commissioned. (Photo by Benon Ojiambo)

Under the agreement, the government holds 30% of the shares in the plant while the private sector companies hold the remaining 70%.

The plant was developed at a total cost of $20m (about sh72b) that was sourced from the government, Afriexim bank and the private sector developers.

Nankabirwa hailed the completion of the plant, whose development faced financial constraints delaying it for 10 years, saying it will play a significant role in addressing the longstanding electrification challenges of the West Nile region.

“The Nyagak III 6.6 MW project provides one of the lowest electricity tariffs among Uganda’s hydropower plants, which will drive regional industrial growth, improve livelihoods, and contribute to Uganda’s socio-economic development.

It has a generation tariff of US cents 5 (about sh193 because of government funding. All the other projects that have been developed without government funding have a generation tariff of US cents 10 (about sh360),” Nankabirwa said.

Phiona Nyamutoro, state minister for mineral development, highlighted the potential of the region’s abundant natural resources, including minerals such as gold, iron ore, and limestone, emphasising the importance of harnessing these resources for sustainable, transparent, and community-centred growth.

“With reliable power now available, West Nile is poised to become a hub for mineral processing and value addition, creating jobs and empowering local youth to take their rightful place in Uganda’s transformation,” Nyamutoro said.