Uganda on Friday experienced a nationwide power blackout for a better part of the afternoon, bringing several businesses to a standstill across the country.
Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) announced via its official X handle, formerly Twitter that the nationwide power blackout followed a load rejection test at Karuma Hydro Power Plant.
“Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (UETCL) Informs the general public that a national blackout has been registered this morning following a load rejection test at the Karuma Hydro Power Plant. System restoration is underway,” UETCL Stated via X-platform formerly Twitter.
The load rejection test is one of the essential tests carried out before the hydroelectric generating set is put into operation formally.
The 600-megawatt Karuma Hydro Power Plant is located along the River Nile in Kiryandongo District. It is expected to increase the installed electricity capacity in the country to 2,000 Megawatts once it’s fully operational.
Enoch Kusasira, the Head of Communication & Corporate Affairs at Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), said the generation firm undertook a commissioning trial test at the Karuma Hydro power plant that led to the national blackout.
Enoch said as part of the commissioning test, they had to switch off all other dams to enable the team to assess if all the generating units at the Hydro Power plant could be put on the national grid.
“What I can tell you is that we are testing the plant on the grid, and these are part of the trial tests. you know the plant is almost complete and we are trying to see if we can have all the generating units on the grid,” said Kusasira.
Adding “While doing that, sometimes you need the entire grid, so you first switch off all the other dams and you try the plant on the grid and that’s why it causes that kind of blackout,” said Kusasira.
In May this year, UEGCL announced all six units at the Hydro Power Dam had been synchronized to the national grid, a feat the firm says brings them closer to the commissioning of the largest power plant in the country.
Construction of the power plant commenced in August 2013 and was meant to be completed by July 2019, but it has since been pushed to September this year.
The project worth $1.7 Billion is jointly funded by the Ugandan Government at 15 percent and through a soft loan from the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China (85 Percent).
Once completed, the plant is expected to address the power challenges in Northern Uganda, especially in the West Nile region which has long been relying on unstable off-grid electricity.
Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, (UETCL), is currently undertaking the Construction of 294 km of 132kV double circuit transmission line from Kole district, through the districts of Gulu and Nebbi, to Arua (KGNA).
Muhammad Lubogo, the Manager of Public and Corporate Communications at UEGCL said the overall transmission line construction is already 96 percent complete.
He noted that the substation in Gulu city is already complete while Nebbi and Arua are undergoing testing before the commissioning.
According to Lubogo, the general transmission line is expected to be commissioned on August 30 this year by President Museveni.
In February this year, the government commissioned the 83KM 132kV Gulu – Agago transmission line which evacuates power from the 83Megawatt Agago/Achwa Hydropower Plant.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum