China to train Ugandans in hydropower plants repair
UEGCL chief executive officer Harrison Mutikanga (L) and Ms Cheng Xialei exchange documents after signing a memorandum of understanding in Kampala on Monday. Photo by Stephen Wandera
Kampala- China and Uganda have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will see the former train Ugandans to repair hydropower plants.
The agreement comes at a time when government is constructing several hydroelectricity plants across the country that will require more local skilled personnel to service and maintain them.
Mr Harrison Mutikanga, the chief executive officer of the Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), said the need for more skilled persons is greater now.
“Uganda is witnessing exponential growth in renewable energy sources generation plants,” Mr Mutikanga said. “This requires a pool of experts. This MoU is to build a pool of experts in terms of operations and maintenance.”
He was speaking on Monday during the signing of the MoU between UEGCL and the Hangzhou Regional Centre for Small Hydro Power that will conduct the training.
The Chinese ambassador, Mr Zhao Yali, said on account of the increasing electricity supply, Uganda should plan for the long-term operation and the maintenance of large power plants such as Karuma and Isimba dams. He said the MoU is a continuation of the annual training his country extends to Ugandan employees.
“Every year, we send 300 government employees to China to participate in different training programmes,” Mr Yali said.
