The Isimba Hydropower Plant, a key 183-megawatt facility in Kayunga District, Uganda, is currently under scrutiny. The Inspectorate of Government (IGG), led by Beti Kamya, has launched an investigation following several complaints. These complaints highlight defects in the plant’s civil, electrical, and mechanical works.
Kamya spoke after an on-site inspection on Friday. She confirmed that her office had received numerous petitions from Ugandans concerned about the plant’s structural integrity. Many people claim the plant’s infrastructure has serious issues, despite being only five years old.
Kamya stated, “The Inspectorate of Government has received several petitions from concerned Ugandans of different walks of life, complaining about management civil issues regarding the Isimba Hydropower Plant.”
As a result, Kamya’s team began the investigation to verify these claims. They collaborated with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Energy, Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited (UEGCL), and the Office of the Attorney General. Their goal was to compare the allegations with real conditions on the ground.
Although Kamya isn’t a technical expert, her early observations were troubling. She remarked, “With my naked eye, I observed serious quality issues. The structures look like they are 50 years old, yet this plant is only about five years old.” Kamya pointed out visible cracks and peeling materials—clear signs of wear and tear, even to a non-technical observer.
Nevertheless, Kamya emphasized that an expert evaluation is essential for a final judgment. “I will wait for engineers to give us a full report. We will internalize the information and evaluate further,” she added.
The Inspectorate of Government plans to release a preliminary report within three weeks. In addition, Kamya expressed concern over disagreements between the project’s contractor and UEGCL. She observed, “The contractor and the implementing agency seem to be far apart in appreciating the problem.”
This lack of agreement is problematic, as effective collaboration is critical to resolving construction issues. Therefore, the IGG’s investigation aims to bridge this gap and determine the necessary corrective actions.
Furthermore, Kamya revealed that President Museveni had intervened two years ago. He issued directives to address the issues at Isimba. However, those directives have not been fully implemented, which has led to the current IGG investigation.
Kamya also highlighted the risks associated with the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract used for the Isimba project. She explained, “EPC contracts assume that the contractor is fully competent, capable, and honest. But there are no in-between checkpoints or milestones under such contracts.”
To improve future projects, Kamya recommended introducing more oversight in contracts. “Assumptions of goodwill and capacity must be tested through continuous evaluation,” she concluded.
The final report, expected in three weeks, will determine whether criminal, civil, or administrative actions are necessary.
