Unrealistic Busoga

THE KINGDOM of Busoga is trying to impose new conditions before the Bujagali dam can take off. It wants AES Nile Power to build an engineering school at the dam and develop the falls further downriver as a tourist attraction. The kingdom is being shortsighted. It should not start demanding extra benefits from AES Nile Power. Busoga is already going to benefit hugely from the dam. The dam will bring employment and development to the Bujagali area as well as improved power. The Bujagali dam is vital to the sustained growth of Uganda. The country will only stagnate unless there is sufficient electricity for both domestic and industrial consumption. The Busoga kingdom should recognise this national imperative. The deal with AES Nile Power to build and operate the dam has already been finalised. It is too late for the kingdom to start dreaming up new conditions. The kingdom is just being greedy because Busoga is already going to profit more than any other part of Uganda from the development of Bujagali.