Norwegian minister tours Bujagali dam

Norway's minister for international development, Dag Inge Ulstein toured Bujagali hydropower on Saturday, in his first ever visit to Uganda.

Ulstein was led on the tour around the facility by the state minister for minerals, Peter Lokeris, and accompanied by several Norwegian officials.

Shortly after touring the 250MW dam, Ulstein said he was impressed by the project which he described as an important milestone in the Norway-Uganda energy cooperation.

Norway's state-owned hydropower firm, SN Power owns 65% in Bujagali hydropower project which is built on the River Nile.

Ulstein is responsible for international development efforts in countries outside the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan.

He is also responsible for development cooperation under the auspices of the UN system, the World Bank, the regional development banks and other global funds and programmes.

The minister is also responsible for Norfund, Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) and Norec, a body that promotes exchanges between companies and organisations.

Energy and mineral development state minister Peter Lokeris with Dag-lnge Ulstein during the visit. Photo by Karim Ssozi

Commissioned in 2012, Bujagali dam was funded by the World Bank, European development finance institutions, and private financing.

The dam is operated by Bujagali Energy Limited, whose other shareholders include the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development and the government of Uganda.

Asked about his impression of Uganda, Ulstein said he was moved by the hospitality and spirit of Ugandans, and the abundant green environment.