By Juma Nsubuga
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development Dr Ruth Nankabirwa has opened the Fourth International Conference and exhibition on water storage and hydropower development for Africa.
The water conservation and hydropower conference was held at the Common Wealth Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo.
Nankabirwa said that the main objective of the conference is to bring together experts from all parts of the world to focus on issues related to water conservation and hydropower development.
“This conference is about water conservation and hydropower generation. Its the fourth one and it is here in Uganda” the minister explained adding that ” I expect the key objectives of the conference to focus on how are we going to conserve the water since it is the source of hydropower and the safety of Dams constructed in Africa”
She added that she was optimistic that the conference is going to assess the critical challenges and future plans for hydropower development in Africa which will address the aspect of trans-boundary resources use and power markets and innovations in hydropower development aimed at ensuring sustainable water development.
The minister also informed delegates that sustainable development and utilization of energy is required to allow the current and future generation meet their energy needs.
“This is in line with the aspiration of United Nation’s sustainable development goals Agenda 2030 which is to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030” she added.
Uganda’s vision 2040 aims at having access to clean ,affordable and reliable energy to facilitate industrialization among others with an increased generation capacity target of 41,738MW.
