Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) has announced the official groundbreaking of the ORIO mini hydro power project, a €13.1 million initiative aimed at increasing access to electricity in rural Western Uganda.

The project, funded by the Netherlands Government’s ORIO Infrastructure fund and co-financed by the Government of Uganda, will see the construction of nine mini hydro power plants with a combined capacity of 6.7 MW, as well as a local distribution network spanning 288 km.

Upon completion, the project is expected to connect 71,081 households and 2,300 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to electricity, significantly contributing to socio-economic transformation and improved livelihoods in the region.

“The ORIO mini hydro power project is a critical step towards achieving our goal of increasing access to electricity in rural Uganda,” said Roy Nyamutale Baguma, Managing Director of UECCC. “We look forward to working with all key stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this project.”

The project’s groundbreaking ceremony will be attended by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Dr. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Right Honourable Thomas Tayebwa.

To date, all project-affected persons have been fully compensated, and primary residents have been resettled in newly constructed resettlement houses. The project is expected to be completed within the next two years.