Government has called on all hydropower dam operators across the country to urgently put in place comprehensive emergency preparedness and response plans, saying the approach recently developed by Bujagali Energy Limited (BEL) should become the new benchmark for Uganda’s power sector.
The appeal was issued during a sensitisation meeting in Jinja where officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment warned that Uganda’s growing reliance on hydropower makes disaster readiness a national priority, especially considering increasing rainfall, flooding and climate related risks.
Officials noted that a single dam failure could trigger massive destruction downstream affecting communities, infrastructure and national electricity supply. They said BEL’s newly launched Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan demonstrates a practical and effective way of enhancing safety across the hydropower chain.
The Bujagali plan includes dam break modelling, early warning alerts, evacuation protocols, rapid communication channels and community awareness initiatives aimed at preparing residents for potential emergencies. Authorities believe these measures should be replicated countrywide.
Government urged operators of key installations including Nalubaale, Kiira, Isimba and the Karuma dam to develop and operationalise similar plans without delay, stressing that preventive safety measures are far more cost effective than responding to disasters after they occur.
Officials added that as Uganda continues to expand its power infrastructure, the next phase will focus on compliance checks, regular risk assessments and coordinated drills involving security agencies, local leaders and communities living near riverbanks.
By adopting Bujagali’s system, authorities say Uganda can create a stronger, uniform safety framework that protects lives, strengthens energy reliability and builds nationwide preparedness for water related emergencies.