CONSTRUCTION OF 132KV TRANSMISSION LINE IN DERAIL OVER DESPITE

The construction of 132 kv transmission line from Namanve to Luzira in Uganda is seriously having a problem due to power tussle between government officials.

The controversy is the impending compensation of US$79.7m (Shs 28bn) by Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL) to a handful of individuals for taking over their land to pave way for the transmission line. This has made both Lands state minister Sam Mayanja and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka engaged in a bitter row.

According to reports, it is understood that Shs 8 billion has already been disbursed to the claimants of the land as they continue to sue UETCL.

Minister Mayanja held a press conference in which he said, suspected fraudsters allocated themselves 8 title deeds, most of which are wetlands, in the route where the transmission line is going to pass. He has further asked the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate the matter with report stating that such investigation has not gone down well with Kiryowa and there is growing tension over the matter.

The project which was awarded in 2016 to a Chinese company China CAMC Engineering Company Limited in the sum of US$100 million (Shs 351bn) for the construction of transmission lines connecting four mega substations at Luzira, Namanve, Mukono, and Iganga industrial parks is still yet to be completed due to this problem.

SOURCE: Observer