Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development's Achievements in 2024 and Plans for 2025

By John Kusolo

On the 2nd of January 2025, Hon. Dr. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development, addressed the media at Uganda Media Centre, presenting an overview of the Ministry’s significant achievements in 2024 and unveiling its ambitious plans for 2025. This briefing underscored Uganda's growing energy sector and mineral development, highlighting key milestones, the current challenges, and future strategies for ensuring sustainable socio-economic growth.

Minister Nankabirwa began her address by acknowledging the continued support from President Yoweri Museveni, Parliament, technical teams, and various stakeholders in advancing Uganda's energy and mineral sectors. With a focus on the core mandate of the Ministry — the rational and sustainable exploitation of energy and mineral resources — she outlined the strategic initiatives aimed at driving economic transformation, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life for Ugandans.

Sustainable Energy Development Programme: Key Achievements in 2024

The Sustainable Energy Development Programme is central to Uganda's energy policy, focusing on providing affordable, clean, and reliable energy to fuel socio-economic development. Dr. Nankabirwa highlighted several significant achievements in the energy sector:

Electricity Tariff Reduction:

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) reduced the weighted average end-user tariff by 5.2%, saving Ugandans UGX 155 billion. The introduction of a Public Amenities tariff further reduced electricity rates for critical public institutions like referral hospitals, supporting the healthcare sector.

Electricity Generation Expansion:

Uganda's electricity generation capacity reached an all-time high of 2,051.6 MW, thanks to several key projects:

The 600 MW Karuma Hydropower Plant in Kiryandongo

The 4.2 MW Kigwabya Hydropower Plant in Kikuube

The 20 MW Xsabo Nkonge Solar Plant in Mubende

The 4.3 MW Pro Industries Co-generation Plant in Luwero

Off-grid solar systems on Bussi Island and Katirwe

The government is also moving forward with large-scale hydropower projects like the 840 MW Ayago and 392 MW Oriang plants as part of its Vision 2040 energy goals.

Transmission and Distribution Developments:

Several transmission and distribution projects were successfully completed, notably the connection of the West Nile region to the National Grid and the commissioning of the Mirama-Kabale transmission line. Additionally, the Rural Electrification Programme connected over 210 sub-counties to the national grid and added 197,390 new electricity connections, pushing the total to 2,305,296 households.

Power Supply and Reliability:

The Ministry made strides in enhancing power supply reliability by upgrading power lines and substations, and addressing issues such as power theft and infrastructure vandalism through penalties under the Amended Electricity Act (2022).

Mineral Development Programme: Growth and New Initiatives

In addition to energy development, Uganda’s mineral sector also saw notable progress in 2024. The Ministry prioritized legal reforms, mineral exploration, and value addition to harness the country’s mineral wealth for economic growth.

*Legal and Regulatory Framework:*

In 2024, the Ministry successfully implemented the Mining and Mineral (Licensing) Regulations 2023. These regulations streamlined the licensing process for investors and promoted local value addition by introducing rules for exporting processed minerals like tin, refined gold, and vermiculite.

Exploration and Quantification of Minerals:

Geophysical surveys in the Karamoja region revealed significant mineral prospectivity, including promising deposits of iron ore and uranium in Mbarara, Kigezi, and Sembabule. The exploration of geothermal energy in Kibiro and Panyimur also confirmed the potential for generating up to 1,500 MW of electricity.

Increased Mineral Production:

Mineral production continued to rise, contributing significantly to Uganda’s non-tax revenue. This upward trend is expected to continue with the establishment of a modern mineral laboratory in Entebbe, aimed at promoting value addition and attracting investment into the sector.

Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Initiatives

Minister Nankabirwa also highlighted efforts to promote energy efficiency and cleaner energy alternatives, which are essential for sustainable growth and environmental protection. The Ministry supports industries in adopting energy-efficient technologies and is developing electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to encourage the use of EVs.

The government has introduced a bill on Energy Efficiency and Conservation, currently before Parliament, which aims to enhance energy conservation across various sectors.

Nuclear Energy Development: Long-Term Strategy

In an exciting development, the Ministry is working on the long-term exploration of nuclear energy. Preparations for establishing an 8400MWe Nuclear Power Plant in Buyende District are underway, alongside the creation of a Nuclear Training programme at Soroti University to build capacity in nuclear science and technology.

*Challenges and Future Plans for 2025*

Despite significant progress, the energy and mineral sectors still face challenges that need to be addressed:

Power Supply Reliability: The Ministry will continue upgrading infrastructure and enforce penalties for power theft and vandalism.

Infrastructure Investment: Further investment in infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth and meet rising energy demand.

Expanding Clean Energy Access: The Ministry is committed to connecting 400,000 new households to electricity annually and promoting the use of clean energy sources, particularly in rural areas.

In the mineral sector, the government will focus on strengthening the legal and regulatory framework, encouraging local processing, and exploring new mineral resources like uranium and geothermal.

In her closing remarks, Minister Nankabirwa reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to transforming Uganda’s energy and mineral resources into drivers of socio-economic growth. The achievements of 2024 were key steps toward achieving the Ministry’s broader goals, and with the strategic plans for 2025, Uganda is poised to make significant strides in its journey toward sustainable development and energy security.

With robust infrastructure investments, a focus on value addition in the mineral sector, and increased clean energy access, Uganda’s energy and mineral development sectors are on track to play a crucial role in the nation’s economic transformation.