The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Sanjay Tanna, has warned that Uganda could face an electricity shortage in the near future if power generation does not keep pace with the country’s rapid industrialisation.
Tanna made the remarks during an engagement between the Presidential CEO Forum and Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja at her office in Kampala.
The Presidential CEO Forum, established by President Yoweri Museveni, brings together private sector leaders, corporate chief executives and government officials to contribute to Uganda’s national development agenda.
The forum, led by its Managing Director Deo Kayemba, briefed the Prime Minister on its engagements with Government and efforts to support industrial development.
Nabbanja commended the forum for its constructive engagement with Government, saying the collaboration had contributed to the establishment of several industries in the country.
Tanna, however, cautioned that the rapid growth in industrial activity would increase demand for electricity and could put pressure on the country’s existing power supply.
He called for continued investment in the energy sector to ensure that electricity supply keeps pace with Uganda’s industrialisation ambitions.
Prime Minister Nabbanja said Government was aware of the growing demand for electricity and had prioritised addressing the country’s energy needs.
The Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, Dr Joseph Muvawala, also commended Government for its investment in export guarantee funds, saying the financing would support the expansion of Uganda’s exports.
The meeting was also attended by Third Deputy Prime Minister Lucia Nakadama, Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister Hillary Onek, Minister for Karamoja Affairs John Baptist Lokii and CEO of the Presidential CEO Forum Irene Mugisha Birungi.
