Parliament asks government to explain dam plans for Murchison falls

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has asked government to explain reports that it plans to construct a dam at the Murchison falls on the River Nile.

In her communication from the chair at the start of Parliament sitting on Wednesday, 11 December 2019 Speaker Kadaga said that conservationists had petitioned the government to stop the planned construction of a hydro-electricity power dam at the falls as the construction would affect the ecosystem and tourism in the area.

“We asked the Minister of Energy to come to Parliament and give us a conclusive report on the matter about these plans to construct a dam, however she has not,” Kadaga said.

She added that there were reports that the government has plans to conduct a feasibility study before deciding on whether or not to build the dam.

“This is unacceptable because people fervently decried the decision, the country wants know urgently and therefore the Minister must come and explain to the country,” she said.

The Minister of State for Finance (Planning), Hon. David Bahati, said that the Minister of Energy had addressed a press conference in which she explained the plans to conduct a study which will determine the final position of the government.

However, the Speaker asked that the Minister of Energy presents the government position in Parliament.

State Minister for Tourism, Hon. Godfrey Kiwanda while addressing a stakeholders meeting convened by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala on Wednesday 27, November 2019 revealed the plans of the government.

Kiwanda revealed that government is in the process of drafting a paper to steer the feasibility study process.