UEGCL wants Nile landing site closed over power plant security

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The Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL) has proposed closure or relocation of a landing site on the River Nile, citing security threats, damage to generation equipment and losses from turbine maintenance.

The proposal has drawn criticism from Njeru Municipality Mayor Yasin Kyaze and fishermen who say they were not consulted.

“As the leadership of this municipality, we know this landing site very well. We are not happy that we learnt about the proposal to close it through security offices instead of being consulted,” Kyaze said.

Njeru Deputy Resident District Commissioner Richard Kakwezi said UEGCL approached his office seeking intervention over losses caused by fishing activities near power stations.

“They told us that fishing nets from people operating around these bridges enter the turbines, forcing them to carry out maintenance. They said they spend about Shs80 million on turbine maintenance and that when the machines are shut down, they incur losses of about Shs3.6 billion,” Kakwezi said.

He said authorities were implementing a presidential directive against ungazetted landing sites.

“We are implementing the President’s directive that prohibits operation of ungazetted landing sites. This particular landing site is not gazetted, and people operating there are also engaged in illegal fishing, including catching silverfish using mosquito nets,” he said.

But fisherman Ibra Kavuma, who has operated at site for 30 years, suspects land interests.

“We have been here for the past 30 years, and there are many landing sites near us that have been closed. Today, you find hotels where those landing sites used to be,” Kavuma said.

“We used to have a big place where we carried out our activities, but an investor took it and constructed a hotel. Now they want us to leave this place as well. We suspect there is a hidden agenda behind this proposal,” he added.

Kavuma questioned UEGCL claims on nets: “For all the years we have been here, nobody from power generation company has come to tell us that our nets entered turbines or caused damage. That is why we question whether this is really about our fishing activities or something else.”

“The issue is not about our activities. We believe they want this land, and that is reality as we see it,” he said.

UEGCL, which operates Nalubaale and Kiira stations with combined 380MW capacity, says uncontrolled access by fishing boats near facilities poses security and public safety risks.

It has recommended 1.5km buffer zones upstream and downstream, relocation of landing sites and installation of heavy-duty water and safety booms. The company said its role is to assess risks and communicate to relevant authorities, with decisions on relocation outside its mandate. It also cited drowning incidents.

UEGCL said consultations involving Minister in Vice President’s Office, Njeru Municipality, security agencies and community leaders are ongoing, including a planned ministerial site visit.

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