With the growing demand for copper, there is all indication that Uganda can take a share of billions of dollars if Uganda revived copper production and processing
Uganda is seeking to accelerate its efforts to reach universal access to clean energy. Today only 57% of Uganda’s population has access to some sort of clean energy or electricity.
Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development revealed the proposed law will mandate the Ministry and the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), to issue product-specific minimum energy performance standards for the various sectors of the economy.
Agnes Alaba, the Commissioner for the Mines Department at the Ministry, revealed that whoever is currently interacting with any minerals such as dealers, artisanal and small-scale miners, and transporters is required to register to avoid conflicting with the law.
While there are questions on whether there is a need to import electricity from Kenya, some suggest the bigger questions include whether Isimba Dam was insured. Why should the government pay to repair the Dam after the floods if it was really insured? What about the threats the Dam poses to nearby communities?
“Currently our mother company in China has been working with ICBC in China and export insurance Company on the funding issue. In meantime our company is still looking for other state-owned institutions in China to talk about future cooperation,” said L V Weidong.
On 7 December 2021, Peter Lokeris, the Minister of State for Energy led officials from the Ministry and introduced the Bill to Parliament’s Committee Environment and Natural Resources for scrutiny. The Minister disclosed that the Ministry is lobbying the lawmakers to expedite the amendments when plenary resumes because several private mineral license holders are not performing to capacity as required.
