Gov’t commissions Nyagak III Hydropower Project in West Nile
Commissioned by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the project was constructed at a cost of approximately US$ 20 million
ARUA, August 4, 2025 — Government has officially commissioned the 6.6-megawatt Nyagak III Hydropower Project in Zombo district, a milestone development aimed at accelerating industrialisation in the West Nile Subregion where agricultural production is the main economic activity.
Commissioned by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, the project was constructed at a cost of approximately US$20 million.
Located on River Nyagak, the new power station will augment the region’s electricity supply, building on the 3.5 megawatts currently provided by the original Nyagak I Hydropower station, which became operational in 2011.
The added electricity capacity is expected to support industrial production, domestic consumption, and the expansion of public services across the West Nile Subregion, which includes Arua City and borders both northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
According to the Energy Ministry, a total of 11.5 megawatts is now synchronised with the national grid via a 132kV substation located in Thatha Division, Nebbi Municipality. This substation is already being powered by transmission lines from the 600MW Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station through the Olwiyo substation in Nwoya District.
Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa presided over the commissioning ceremony on August 1,2025, accompanied by government officials, Alur Kingdom Prime Minister Prince Lawrence Angala, community leaders, and former State Minister for Energy, Engineer Simon D’Ujanga.
Eng. Nicholas Agaba, one of the project leaders, told journalists on the sidelines of the commissioning ceremony that the Nyagak III Hydropower Project was achieved through a Public-Private Partnership [PPP] model.
“The project commenced in 2015, structured as a PPP where the government, through the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited [UEGCL], owns a 30 percent stake, with the remaining shares held by the private sector. The private consortium comprises Hydromax, Tata Consulting Engineers, and Dott Services,” Agaba explained.
“Today, we are officially receiving this facility to begin evacuating power to the national grid.”
Minister Nankabirwa welcomed the completion of the project, saying it was a step towards fulfilling the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM] government’s long-term development plan for the people of West Nile.
“We are proud to have added 6.6 megawatts to the national grid. This is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to energy expansion and development in this region,” she said.
She also assured residents that pending works related to the project under the Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] component would be completed by October.
The Minister extended gratitude to Eng. D’Ujanga for his role in engaging the local population and encouraging support for the government’s rural electrification initiatives. She noted his efforts were instrumental in securing community buy-in for the power projects.
Speaking at the event, D’Ujanga emphasised the region’s improved energy reliability and encouraged potential investors to capitalise on the stable electricity supply by establishing industries in West Nile.
“Power failure should now be a thing of the past in this region. The focus should shift to attracting investors to set up industries. We now have industrial-grade power, and nothing should stop us from building factories that will create jobs and spur development,” he said.
Zombo District Resident Commissioner, Festus Ayikubua, lauded President Yoweri Museveni for extending development to the region. He said the successful commissioning of Nyagak III Hydropower Station was a testament to the government’s efforts to uplift marginalised areas.
He urged local communities to make productive use of the electricity by engaging in value addition activities under initiatives such as Operation Wealth Creation [OWC] and the Parish Development Model [PDM].
“The power is here, now the challenge is to use it wisely. With programmes like OWC and PDM, people can process their produce locally and increase household incomes,” Ayikubua stated.
The Nyagak III Hydropower Project is expected to be a catalyst for regional transformation, supporting economic diversification in the West Nile Subregion.
https://thecooperator.news/west-nile-region-in-dire-need-of-electricity/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
