The Government of Uganda has directed all hydropower dam operators to bolster safety mechanisms, sharpen emergency response systems and work more closely with security agencies and local authorities in a renewed effort to reduce the risks posed by potential dam failures and flooding.
The call was made by the Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Management, Dominic Mucunguzi, during a national dam safety sensitisation forum held to evaluate preparedness across the country’s growing hydropower infrastructure.
He said that dam failure while historically rare in Uganda carries catastrophic consequences, including loss of life, mass displacement, destruction of property and disruption of energy supply. He noted that preparedness can no longer be treated as optional but must become a core requirement of hydropower operations.
“We expect every operator to have a clear, well tested and community inclusive emergency preparedness and response plan. This must include coordination with district leaders, the police and the UPDF to ensure structured action in the event of a crisis,” Mucunguzi said.
According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, dam operators are now required to design and implement Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans (EPRPs) that outline early warning systems, evacuation procedures, stakeholder coordination, and public awareness protocols.
Operators have also been instructed to conduct regular technical monitoring of reservoirs, spillways and water release systems particularly during seasons of excessive rainfall that could trigger water level surges.
At the forum, experts underscored that emergency planning must go beyond internal engineering strategies and include downstream communities that are often the first to face danger when dams overflow or discharge unexpectedly.
Uganda continues to expand its hydropower portfolio to support industrial growth and increased electricity demand. However, officials warned that infrastructure expansion must advance alongside safety investments, saying that risk management, continuous monitoring and disaster preparedness are now non-negotiable.
Industry representatives at the forum including major power producers committed to reviewing response plans, increasing compliance and strengthening stakeholder engagement, particularly in high-risk zones.
Energy ministry officials maintain that proactive safety planning is significantly less costly and less devastating than disaster recovery.
Government representatives also called for better communication with communities living along riverbanks and dam discharge corridors, highlighting the importance of public awareness drills, multi-agency coordination and real time alert systems.